Advent Devotional – 12.11.2021
Joe Vetter
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs:16:9)
“One inch!” “You are telling me that my entire future as a USAF pilot rests on the measurement of my sitting height that exceeds the standard by one inch?”
This was my response to my AFROTC commanding officer who didn’t relish telling me the news of my pre-commissioning physical any more than I enjoyed hearing it. Being an Air Force pilot was supposed to be my plan, my destiny, my chosen career for the future. While all my ROTC buddies were going off to fame and glory at pilot training, I was off to Oklahoma. No disrespect intended towards the State of Oklahoma or being a second lieutenant in Security Police, but this was not my plan for my life.
For years I wondered why the Lord would re-rail my plans for the future. Had I done something wrong? Was I being punished for something I failed to do? These questions haunted me for years.
After many years of prayer, study and introspection it finally dawned on me that perhaps my answers could be found in scripture.
Isaiah 55:8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
In short, I needed to understand that I should stop whining about the past and understand that His purposes for me required me to travel down a path vastly different than what I had planned. Moreover, I should praise his glory for leading me down the path He chose. He has blessed me with a beautiful family and a great career. As the old hymn goes, “God moves in a mysterious way,” such were the events in my life. I can now faithfully see how throughout my entire life Christ was nudging me in His ways to accomplish His purposes.
So as Christmas approaches, I get yet another year to experience the joy of Christmas in the company of loved ones and friends. I thank God for His many blessings and for having the opportunity to travel down His path which He chose for me.
I must confess that I still occasionally find myself looking skyward and thinking about the words of the poet. “Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings….and touched the face of God.” I still wonder how it might have been. I allow this indulgence only long enough to remember what our Lord said, “Many are the plans of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)