PLEASANT RUNPRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PLEASANT RUNPRESBYTERIAN CHURCHBy Betsy Hall
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[a] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:32-36
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
The familiar first passage takes place prior to Jesus’s arrest and “trial” which leads directly to his crucifixion. Although in distress about the events about to unfold, Jesus acknowledges as he prays to his Father “not what I will but what you will.” And Proverbs reminds us simply that “the Lord’s purpose prevails” despite the plans we have in our hearts. The lesson here—no matter what your Plan A is, make sure you have a Plan B—an alternative narrative.
What is a Plan A? Well, that depends on your life and what you want from it. A career as a doctor, a house in the suburbs, travel to exotic destinations, a successful business. But as we know, things do not always turn out the way we envisioned. College scholarships are not awarded, the house you hoped to buy is not available, travel opportunities are out of reach, your business goes bust. Pandemics and inflation destroy your plans; or maybe unforeseen circumstances such as needing to care for a family member. What do you do? Do you give up on life? Are you angry with God? Remember the verse “the Lord’s purpose prevails.” God has a plan for your life. How you react to it and alter your mission leads you to follow your Plan B. Who knows, Plan B may just represent Plan Best.
Jesus realized that his Plan A–which may have been to continue his mission on earth–was not God’s plan. Jesus surrendered his will to his Father’s. When circumstances show us that our Plan A is not achievable, we need to turn to Plan B and follow it, knowing that God will be with us on our journey. Just as He was when His Son Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected.
Hallelujah! Have a blessed Easter!
