God is Always On Time

In the early 80's I used to watch the A-Team on tv. A line that was heard in almost every episode was, "I love it when a plan comes together." I like that myself, but here's one I like better (that you never heard on tv) - "I love it when a plan comes apart ... and then God shows up with a better one." I had one of those moments yesterday. I have been using open Sundays with no specific invitations from churches to try to finally make it to Sunday morning worship with the few HBA congregations I haven't been to yet. Yesterday, I had decided to attend one church (even posted my plan on facebook) and left the house at 10:00 a.m. for the 40 minute drive to that church. For some reason I decided that I should check on their service time (which really would have been a good idea if I had done it sooner). So, while driving (do not try this at home), I used my phone to find their church website and discovered that their service begins at 10:30. Oops! Since I really didn't want to come in 10-15 minutes after the service started I began searching my mind and map for a previously unvisited congregation that was close enough for me to get to on time. I picked Cates Street Baptist Church in Bridgeport. When I got there I discovered that their regular worship leader was out of town and that they thought they were going to have to function with no one to lead their congregational singing that day. Let's see ... it is my job to assist the churches of Harvest Baptist Association ... I have over 30 years experience leading worship ... I wasn't even planning on being at this church today ... Wow! God showed up with a plan! I am pretty sure God did not lean over to one of the angels and say, "Aren't we lucky that Gerry decided to go to Cates Street this morning?" I suspect that He knew about all of it before I arrived. There was nothing special about my being there. All I did was lead this small congregation in three Christmas songs and an invitation hymn. But, they believed God sent me to meet a need. I agree, even though I wasn't consciously aware of a mission from God when I left my house. I think sometimes we would be amazed at what God would do through us if we would simply make ourselves available to Him. What plans of God have we missed while carrying out our own plans? I am not saying that we shouldn't make plans. Just saying that we should ask God to show up with a better one whenever He chooses to do so. As we move toward the beginning of a new year, let's make a commitment to be available to Him and then watch expectantly for Him to show up.