In my journey with God over the few years I have known Him, I have concluded that nothing is more enjoyable than unplanned, unexpected encounters or moments when I experience God first-hand and in real-time. What you are planning for yourself is usually not what God is planning for you.

Sometimes in life, you need to encounter God when you least planned it, or when it goes beyond rigid routines or schedules. I have noticed that the greatest encounters come when you least expect God to do something. People are good at planning things and following traditions, but God as I know Him, works in and outside traditions as He pleases. What’s important is for us to embrace it and obey Him when it happens.

Saul was planning and God was planning too

Imagine Saul, later named Paul the Apostle, when he was on his way to Damascus persecuting the followers of Jesus, when God disrupted his plans. He least expected to encounter Jesus, but that was one of the greatest moments of his life because thereafter he went on to be the pioneer of the Gospel which we hear, live by, and enjoy today.

Hear what Jesus said to Him: “He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:4-6

Paul had his plans, and routines and was determined at them. But God had other greater plans for him. To preach the Gospel to nations.

God also has greater plans for you, beyond your daily routine and plan. He goes beyond your plan. It is in the unplanned experiences, meetings, prayer moments, job assignments, business opportunities, hurtful moments, unplanned and unexpected decisions we make, or experiences we go through in life that we may encounter God the most.

Imagine if you were driving and He said “Park, and pray”. Oh, you met a beggar and He said, “Give him that money in your pocket!”. Yet you had plans to use it for other things. Maybe you stopped and prayed because He said so and it wasn’t even the time you planned to pray every day. It is in such times that marvellous things take place, and encounters with God happen. For the Christian and non-Christian alike. Ask Paul!

Be ready for God despite what you are planning

You may have your planned times with God, but I want to encourage you to heed His voice when He says to do something even when you did not understand or plan to do it at that time. He may want you to do something that bucks the trend or status quo.

Go ahead, obey the voice and do so. Such times are priceless moments where you can learn God for yourself, and also experience Him in real time. It might disturb your routine in the moment, but it will change you for a lifetime.

May God, disrupt religious routines in your life such that you especially encounter Him. That you get to know what God wants you to do next. Get ready for Him to change your life. When he says, “Call…so and so!”, even if you didn’t plan to do so, you will be surprised by what might just follow.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God bless

Read also Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV