Why We Should Trust the Plan by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

Planning can be tedious. Paying attention to details can be time consuming. Sometimes we wonder if the end result will really be worth all the time spent working on the blueprint. As I trudge through the book of Leviticus in my daily Bible reading, I am wading through a lot of rules and regulations about how to live. In the case of the priests like Aaron and his sons, before they could enter the tabernacle, they had to wear a specially designed robe with a linen apron or ephod over it, as well as a turban and a breastpiece with beautiful semi-precious stones representing the tribes of Israel. Their dress had to be perfect before the priests could make offerings for the Israelites.

After days of planning, building the tabernacle exactly as God commanded, and designing the priests’ garments, the day finally came. Aaron and his sons put on their beautifully sewn vestments, they entered the Holy Place and made atonement for the Israelites’ sins.

Then all the days of planning and hard work paid off when the presence of the LORD filled that place. “Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown” (Leviticus 9:23–24, NIV).

I started to weep while reading this passage because it hit home. As I continue my doctoral studies, I often ask God to show me what all this advanced schooling is about. Why do I have to study statistics, LORD? How are you going to use it? How will You be glorified through what I am learning?

What I am understanding, however, is that God will often give us a plan to carry out, but He won’t always tell us why we have to do it. He sees the future—we don’t—so that’s where faith and trust come in.

What about you? Are you getting frustrated with all the planning and hard work on a project, but you are still waiting for the “why?” If it’s of God, then just know He will bless your efforts and will one day show you His glory.