Shoulda…Coulda…Woulda

by Darla Noble

Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:7-8

God told Rebekah that the older of the two twins she was carrying would serve the younger (Genesis 25 & 26). God had a plan, but Rebekah decided to take matters into her own hands to make sure Jacob did indeed get what was rightfully (according to cultural norms) Esau’s.

God’s plan prevailed in spite of Rebekah’s actions. Rebekah’s actions also caused her family to be one of the most dysfunctional and fractured families in the history of mankind. Shoulda…coulda…woulda (listend to God).

Jason wanted to be a chemist but his youth minister encouraged him to go into youth ministry instead. Believing the youth minister knew more than he did, Jason took a position as a youth minister instead of completing his degree in chemistry. It was a disaster!

He was ill-prepared, he didn’t connect with the kids, and ended up making himself and them miserable. Three of the young people even quit coming to church because of his attitude and actions.

Two years into the position Jason realized what a mistake he had made, so he called the kids together, told them his ‘story’, apologized for making them the victims of his mistake, resigned his position, and left to follow his heart.

Today Jason is a chemist for a major corporation, a husband and father of two, and a volunteer sponsor for youth events at the church he and his family are members of. Shoulda…coulda…woulda (followed God’s plan for his life instead of someone else’s).

Pray: Jesus, please open my ears, heart, and mind to following You first and always. Guide me in making decisions Your way… not mine. In your name, I pray, amen.