God’s Plan

When I was a child, I loved riding my BMX bike. I even raced for a while. (That’s another story!)

I was known for being a bit crazy on my bike. I attempted to jump creek-beds, hay bails and anything else in front of which I could build a ramp.

One day, when I was about to go for a ride, my mum stopped me.

“You be careful, Davy,” she said.

“I will, Mum,” I answered without thought.

“I’m serious, Davy. I don’t want you riding near the road.”

“OK. I won’t.”

She wasn’t convinced. “I have seen you boys going down the steep sides of the cutaway. And I don’t want you doing that.”

The main road, just a short ride from our house, had been cut through a hill and both sides worked as massive half-pipe ramps. It was our favourite place to ride. Kids had carved jumps into the drainage ditches. It was a BMX playground. It was also a long straight stretch in which cars liked to speed.

“Look at me, Davy,” Mum took my 8-year old chin in her hand, “I don’t want you anywhere near that road. You could get killed.”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, “I can’t die, Mum!”

My mum was amazed I could look into her eyes while saying this. Clearly, I believed I was telling the truth.

“What do you mean you can’t die?” she asked.

“You always tell me God has great plans for my life,” I answered seriously, “and I haven’t done anything for Him yet!”

Mum couldn’t help it—she smiled. “Well, God does have great plans for your life,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes. “But you could still get hurt if a car hit you! Please don’t ride near or on the road. Please?”

I was beaten. Love has a powerful way of drawing obedience. “OK, Mum.”

“Thank you.”

And now, years later, I say, “No Mum, thank you!”

My Mum taught me both that God has great things in store for me and to be safe while waiting for Him to reveal His plan—sometimes it takes awhile!

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11