My son does not mind me telling you his college is closing. When he chose to attend the (never forget the definite article) King’s College three years ago, he imagined an integrated community with strong academics intended to prepare students for service in Christ’s kingdom. And it was that way for a while.

Then the college ran out of money. I remember thinking, “How is that possible? Do colleges just run out of money? Aren’t they supposed to plan for that?” But they do.

Now my son is walking in the graduation ceremony in a few weeks. He will be finished with college. And then the college will be finished. They have enough money to last for the summer so he can complete enough credits to graduate. But eventually, when summer classes are over, someone will be the last one out, the doors will be locked, and the King’s College will be no more.

              Proverbs 16:9 records, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” My son is learning that.

But so am I. For a great deal of my adult life, I’ve assumed I need to plan well in order for good things to happen.

I’ve assumed that to be true, even though some of the best parts of my life were not planned. I met my wife after a church service I happened to attend. I am the pastor of Redeemer because a friend told me not to ignore a phone call.

                It seems to me the truth of Proverbs 16:9 goes beyond whether or not to plan (we should!). It reveals the true nature of discipleship. Jesus calls us to abandon ourselves and follow him. We are called to do our best with what he has given. But we are also called to trust him even if what occurs is not according to our plans. The necessity of faith is clear when we do not see where God is leading but we are willing to follow. Walking into an uncertain future is far more difficult than one we think we see clearly. 

               Many of us are making transitions. Perhaps you are graduating. Maybe you are planning for your first job, getting married, the arrival of a child or retiring. Rest assured; God knows your future. Sometimes his love is precisely demonstrated in not showing you what it is.

Proverbs 16:9 is not simply truth, it is reassurance.