When Life Takes Us Off Course

Plans shape our future, offering direction and purpose, and keep us from drifting aimlessly. We often believe we’ve laid the groundwork for success. When one approach fails, we move to Plan B, then Plan C. It’s what we do—a perpetual cycle of strategizing.

As youths, our dreams were big: professional athletes, entrepreneurs, top salespeople, executives, Hollywood stars, famous doctors, or renowned authors. We believed that with proper preparation, we could excel in any role. Yet, the unpredictability of the world brought challenges that even our best plans couldn’t foresee.

We realized accomplishing something significant requires more than just belief. A new perspective emerged from persevering through trials, whether reaching our goals or falling short, living our dreams, or seeing them shattered. We faced disappointment and loss, experiencing the highs and lows along our journey. Hopefully, we concluded that weathering life’s storms—whether winning or not—allows us to make meaningful impacts.

Many of us were fortunate to have teachers, coaches, bosses, and parents who pushed us to excel, guiding us to higher standards by demanding extraordinary efforts and sharper focus. Teammates, colleagues, and friends encouraged us, believing we could make a difference. Amid obstacles, our families’ unending love and support brought calm to our hearts, hope to our minds, and peace to our souls. Reflecting on the years, our contributions added value to those who shared our journey, just as their remarkable impact did on us. For this, we remain forever grateful.

Spiritually minded people realize that God’s plans serve a different purpose—unique to each and designed for our ultimate benefit. While our efforts may falter, His will always prevail. This understanding should encourage us to keep planning, trusting that His vision for us will surpass our imagination.

As we enter the final chapters of life, we won’t be judged by our diminishing appearance or forgotten accomplishments. Instead, we will be valued by what remains in our hearts and how we serve others. John Maxwell wisely noted, “Experience is not the best teacher; evaluated experience is.” As we evaluate our experiences—good, bad, successful, or not—we must find the wisdom to move forward. Let us strive to finish our race with grace and humility, bringing others the peace we’ve discovered along our journey.

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