19 May 2020
Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
I received an email from an airline company several weeks ago that said, “Hello. We need to speak with you. Unfortunately, there has been a change to the flights you booked with our airline.” Immediately, I knew what had happened. Our flights back to the US that I had booked months ago before the pandemic began had now been cancelled. I wasn’t really surprised by this cancellation, as travel and flights throughout the world have been drastically impacted by the coronavirus. Yet nevertheless, I was a bit disheartened as I considered that, even if we rescheduled and figured out a way to get to the US, the difficulties associated with traveling and quarantines would just be too much to overcome. Reluctantly, I decided to cancel our trip to the US.
I know that I’m not the only person who received an email from the airlines. I’m not the only one who has had to change their summer plans. Millions of people throughout the world will spend their summer doing something different than what they originally had planned. Perhaps you also had plans to travel this summer but instead you will be staying here in Hong Kong.
Despite the sadness of not being able to see our family and friends back in the US, I’ve been encouraged as I think about what God might have for us here in Hong Kong during the summer. Besides looking forward to exploring different parts of the city, I also find myself praying about how our family can befriend, disciple, and share the gospel with different people whom we might not have had the opportunity to meet up with if we had gone to the US as planned. There are many good works to be done in Hong Kong this Summer 2020!
As I was thinking about our change of plans, I was reminded of the apostle Paul’s words to the Galatians in Galatians 4:13, “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first.” Paul was a man on mission. He was committed to getting the gospel into new regions. Paul usually made plans regarding where he would go, but he also recognized the sovereignty of God to change those plans. He was not invincible; he too was vulnerable to disease. Most likely Paul was struck with some kind of illness or disease that required him to stay for a period of time in the region of Galatia (present day Turkey). Rather than being frustrated about his inability to continue with his plans, he trusted that God was working through the sickness he contracted. He viewed the ailment as God’s means of opening a door for the gospel. As a result of being forced to stay in Galatia, he was given the opportunity to preach the good news to those who had never heard. The Lord blessed his work and churches were formed as a result of this sovereign change of plans.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” I find this verse particularly encouraging during this time when my plans have been completely upended. It helps me to remember that even though my plans can be easily disrupted, God’s plan for me remains on track. Even though our family had planned to leave Hong Kong for a time this summer, the Lord’s plan for us was that we should stay. And not only should we stay, but He actually has specific work for us to do here this summer, whether acts of service towards our brothers and sisters in Christ or opportunities for sharing the gospel with non-Christians.
If you find yourself unsure of what you will do in Hong Kong this summer, be encouraged. God has prepared work for you to do. Think about Paul’s example of how God used a disease to plant churches, and think specifically of Ephesians 2:10 for your own life. Who in our church can you serve this summer? Who can you help? Who can you encourage? Are there any non-Christian neighbors or coworkers that you could get together with and share the good news of Jesus? Be confident in the Lord – nothing has taken him by surprise, even the changes of plans that all of us have experienced. As Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Adam McCulloch
