Not Always The Way We Think

Sometimes life doesn’t go the way we’d like it to.

We try and try to go a certain direction and doors keep slamming.

Family life happens and the needs of the family become greater than our need to pursue our personal goal.

It doesn’t mean you have to give up on that goal.

It may just be a “not yet”.

Two movies that wonderfully show this principle are “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.”

Both men in these movies had a desire, a dream.

George had big plans for his life ever since he was young, and they never involved staying in Bedford Falls. He wanted to travel the world and see new things, only for life to show that it had other plans in mind. From his father’s death to falling in love with Mary, George found those original plans no longer fit his life.

While it is normal to be disappointed when things don’t go as planned, the movie shows that these can be blessings in disguise and give a happier life than what was originally in mind. Even when those plans are ruined for less happy reasons, accepting that things have changed makes it easier to deal with.

https://screenrant.com/its-a-wonderful-life-best-important-life-lessons/#things-don-39-t-always-go-as-planned

Both faced closed doors in trying to pursue that goal.

The 1995 movie Mr. Holland’s Opus is about a man who dreams of leaving his mark upon the world with a symphony of his own creation and winds up making music of a different sort altogether. When Mr. Holland begins teaching music in a Portland high school, he expects to be able to continue composing. His yearning and his struggle to fulfill it are familiar to many of us. We start out with big dreams for something we care passionately about but we find that we are never able to devote ourselves to it full time. Think of all the actors who work as waiters or cab drivers and never are able to make a career out of what they love.

https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/visions-features/view/15391/mr-hollands-opus#:~:text=Holland’s

Both found out that life was meaningful and beautiful even if it didn’t go the way they originally thought it should.

Both realized providing for the needs of their family was the more important focus.

God’s way of doing things is never how we think “it should be.”

Think about it.

A baby born in a manger, born to be King of the World.

A man called to be a leader, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown into jail, forgotten, and then, suddenly, second in command in Egypt.

The Bible is replete with stories of people with hopes and dreams and the path not being easy, not making sense.

Hebrews 11:39-40 tells us, “And all these, [talking about the people listed in Hebrews 11],  though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”

But like Jesus, we need to humble ourselves, listen to His leading.

Jesus laid aside His kingship to become Emmanuel, God with us.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
 It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment to your bones.

Take the time soon to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.”

Then, remind yourself, God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9), and He is leading each of us on the path we are on (Psalm 23). That it’s important to provide for our family (1 Timothy 3 and 5), and He always cares and provides (Matthew 10:29-31).