A Good Idea by Larry W Peebles March 29, 2019 19.09
We had a good idea. We also had a good plan to implement the idea. In preparing for a recent ministry trip to another country, my wife and I were made aware by our foreign host that his ministry needed support in the area of human trafficking. He had a full time staff person who identified, mentored, and negotiated the release of women held as slaves in prostitution. Three such women were ready for release. When we inquired further, we were given a dollar figure that could redeem these women into their freedom.
There were other needs we were working toward for the trip. The children at an orphanage needed clothes, Bibles, and school materials. One of the churches where we would lead a pastors’ conference was desperate for a water well in the neighborhood. We were to also visit a leper colony that needed food and medicine. But our hearts were tugged for the plight of these women. It seemed good and right, so we added them to the list of fund-raising goals for the trip.
Our cost to travel was covered. Any funds donated from our church, family and friends would go toward these goals. We were most pleasantly surprised at the results. Before we left we notified our host that there were funds sufficient to dig the well, pay for the pastors’ conference, feed the lepers, and provide not only for the orphanage we would visit, but other orphanages as well. We also had the funds matching the agreed price to set the women free from slavery. We were convinced we were on the right track, as everything seemed to fall into place.
As soon as we arrived at our destination we turned the funds over to our host, so that no time was lost in making final arrangements. Everything was done on a cash basis. When we left one week later, we wanted to be able to report that the entire list was accomplished, and we had seen it with our own eyes. We launched into the week of ministry by visiting a home for the elderly the same day we arrived, Tuesday. It felt good to be doing something other than sitting on an airplane. We served them a meal and prayed for everyone. The people were most happy and uplifted after they were encouraged with the word of God.
The next day we saw the immediate benefit of the fund-raising. The children at the orphanage were so precious. They sang and showered us with flower pedals. We spoke words of encouragement over them and prayed for them. They were delighted over the new clothes and other items distributed. After a meal together, we reluctantly said good-by and departed for an outdoor revival meeting in the evening. It was a great meeting, as God began to move on people’s hearts. We saw new believers accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The following day, Thursday, was the day-long pastors’ conference, which was most powerful and effective. God’s presence was noticeable. The pastors left encouraged, touched, and full of joy. We prayed for a new groom-to-be who was being celebrated in a home next door. At the end of the conference we were led by drums a short walk down the street to the location of the brand-new water well. The life-giving well was dedicated to the Lord after we were once again showered with flower pedals. Two more fund-raising goals were accomplished, now three total, before our very eyes. This felt good, and was all according to plan.
It was at this point I began to overhear bits of phone conversations that led me to ask about the release of the women. The initial response was that we were dealing with shady characters, nasty fellows. I detected a bit of concern when the target date for the release of the women passed. There were problems. We informed our prayer partners back home that they should begin to lift the matter to God in prayer, and we also began to pray.
The fourth day of ministry featured more meetings of pastors and leaders. These were also very powerful meetings, where the presence of the Holy Spirit touched those in attendance, and people were encouraged and changed. Our host was on the phone throughout the day, and the reports began to come. First, there was no deal regarding the women. There would be no release. That changed when the report came that maybe one woman would be released. I found myself agitated and in doubt, wondering what had gone wrong, and why was this too hard for God to conclude. Surely He wanted these three women released from slavery.
The fifth day of ministry, Saturday, involved the visit to the lepers’ colony, where we encouraged the sick and laid hands on them and prayed for them. We brought food for a week, and a doctor came with us and treated the open wounds. The people were very happy and grateful. I received more of a blessing being around them than I can describe. During the day, we learned that the weekend was a holiday, and that the “services” of the women would be required through that time. Later that evening we learned two of the women would be released, and we would see them on Sunday at the church service. I was delighted at that news, but still troubled by my perception that God had not come through with the third woman. I could not understand why my plan had failed.
Sunday was a wonderful day of church—powerful worship and preaching, along with actually meeting and celebrating the release of the two women. I have never been that closely associated with the issue of slavery, and I have learned a whole new perspective on the word “redeemed”. The word redeemed means to gain or regain possession of something in exchange for something of value. Money had literally bought the freedom of these two precious women who had been tricked and trapped into prostitution by their owner. God had set them free. God had also done something else very amazing. News finally came that the third woman would be set free—along with a fourth woman!
It was at that point I received a word of correction from the Lord. While I had been grousing that God was not working to complete my good plan of releasing three women, He pointed out that the whole time He was working on a better plan—the release of four women. My plan did not succeed because He had a better plan. His ways are higher than our ways, and His plans are bigger and better than ours.
Two Scriptures came to mind. Isaiah 55:9- “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I did not sense that the Lord was angry with me. Rather He was just showing me that He can do more than we can think or imagine. The question God asked Job also came to mind- “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4) It was not that my plan was wrong or misplaced. It was that His plan was so much bigger than mine.
My plan was swallowed by His plan. I felt ashamed and small for doubting Him. Of course he wanted the three women released, but there was a fourth I did not know about. She was young, and the only family she had were the other women. She threatened the owner that she would take her own life if she could not go with the others. A price was negotiated to include her, and the last two were released. Our budget was spent, but I told our host we would help with that cost when we got back home.
Monday was our day to begin traveling back home, but before we left we got to meet those last two women, pray with them, and celebrate their release. They were young, scared, and so grateful to be free. They were redeemed from a terrible situation. I could not help but think how we are all redeemed from the slavery of sin by the blood of Jesus. What a great way to end the trip, and how appropriate to see God’s love and power at work again on the last day. However, He was not through.
When we arrived home, our mail was bundled and waiting for pick up at the post office. In the mail were four additional support checks totaling something only slightly short of the funds necessary to free the fourth woman. I gladly made up the small difference, and sent the money over to our foreign host. God not only had a better plan to free four women instead of three, He also knew how to pay for it.
I had a good idea, and a good plan to achieve the outcome. God had a better plan. When we pray, we must remember that when our good plan is not working out as we think it should, perhaps it is because God has a better plan. The One who created the universe and everything in it sees the entire picture. He may leave us wondering until we see His plan revealed. Sometimes the revelation of His plan takes longer than we would like, but a God plan is always better than a good plan.
