OK, so you probably don’t think God is a monster – at least not consciously.  But, I know there are some of you out there who are a little afraid to really surrender and let go of your plans.  I know this because there are certain times in my life when I definitely fall into that category.

Some of you – the afraid-to-surrender group – think that if you really let go and let God have all of your plans and dreams, you’re going to get shipped off to Africa married to the ugliest boy you know.  You’re thinking that if you really mean it when you say “OK, Lord, whatever You want is what I want” immediately God will leap from His throne and say “Hooray!  Finally the ugly boy will have a wife!”

That’s not how it works.  The Lord loves you.  He is good.  He has good plans for you.  Africa and the ugly boy might be part of that plan, but I can assure you that you’re going to be happy about it when it happens.  The Lord knows exactly what He can do through you and I promise that there is nothing on this earth more fulfilling than doing exactly that.

Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV) says “Which of you, if his son asks for bread will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

God is a good Father who is waiting to unveil His amazing plans for your life.  Letting go of your own plans will make room for His even better plans. 

By the way:  The ugly duckling boys usually grow up to be the nicest men.  Trust me, the nice boys who are a little homely now will hit their stride eventually.  Give ‘em a few years and all the girls will be drooling over them.  This is why it’s always better to just be friends.  You don’t really know what anyone’s going to look like until they grow up.  You might get a little distracted by the way someone looks and end up overlooking the fact that Mr. Way-Too-Good-Looking is really kind of mean to everyone and Mr. Brainy-Weirdo is really nice and makes a great friend.  So, that really doesn’t have much to do with what I’m talking about, but it’s information.  Do with it what you will.