Plan A

If Plan A doesn't work, is there a Plan B? That question is being asked by some political commentators and cartoonists. What does the present coalition government have up their respective sleeves as Plan B? With the tight squeeze on local authorities, the police and so on, many are going top be losing their jobs, but will it all work? They clearly don't want to spend their way out of trouble, so then what?
Many Christian people may wonder what is God's Plan A, and is there a Plan B? St. Paul had to address that sort of question in many of his writings, as it was a hot topic for the first generation of believers. One of his most clear statements on the issue is in Romans. 'And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the first-born among many brothers and sisters.' (Romans 8.28-29)
The Plan A, which covers all eventualities (God causes everything to work together), is that we become like his Son. That means that every moment of every day, God is in the business of helping us to grow to become more like Jesus. Those difficulties and pains which are so troublesome are part of the Lord's means of changing us from the self-centred people we so often are, to become those who trust Him fully, just as Jesus did. So when I see that this is the one and only plan the Lord has for me, I am learning to rest myself in his good purposes for me. Whatever stresses we face today, these are gifts from the Lord! How wonderful.
Best wishes,
Richard