A Sermon on God's Plan Can Appear Messy

Here are just a few highlights of a recent sermon I preached about the fact that God's plan for you can often appear messy. Of course, I had to reformat these parts of my sermon outline to appear more appropriate for this blog.

For clarity, I am not suggesting the Lord is the author of confusion because we know differently (1 Cor. 14:33). More plainly, God is not confused! When life appears crazy, it is only our inability to understand or as the Bible put it, "our thoughts are not His thoughts, neither are our ways His says the Lord" (Isa. 55:8-9).

I have been digging into Jeremiah 29:1-11 and Matthew 26:46-54, and man, they’ve got me thinking—God’s got plans for us, even when life feels like a total mess.

I mean, think about it: Israel’s stuck in Babylon, hauled off into exile, and Jesus is facing betrayal, about to be nailed to a cross. Yet in both stories, there’s this unshakable truth—God’s in control, even when we’re caught in someone else’s grip (Dan. 4:35).

It’s wild to realize that no matter what’s holding us down, He’s got a purpose we can’t always see however, when life hurts, please keep going (Rom. 8:28).

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had moments where I wonder, “How did a brotha end up here?” Even asking was nonsense because I, not the Lord God of Armies, was always at fault (Prov. 1:33).

In Jeremiah 29:4 God says to Israel, “I’m the one who sent you into exile.” Then there’s Jesus in Matthew 26:54, looking at the soldiers grabbing Him and saying, “How else would the Scriptures be fulfilled?”

Before going further, let me set the record straight for those who say, "everything that happens is God's Will." No, that is not true for two (of many more) overarching reasons.

First, the Bible says God does not tempt anyone to sin but we do so when we follow our own desires (Jam. 1:13). For everything, even sin, to be His will, one would have to make the case that the Lord tempted Adam and Eve to sin instead of the evil serpent (Gen 3).

Second, this means that it was His desire for us to leave His presence which must then mean there are people who God simply did not like and wanted to throw into Hell (Ezek. 33:11, John 3:16).

The two previous examples (exile and Jesus) were not random disasters—God meant for them to happen (1 Chron. 29:11). In relation to the previous thought, Judah's "sin" was not the Lord's will rather His reponse to "correct" sin is (Rom. 5:8).

And yeah, it hurt. Israel lost their homes; Jesus lost His life. But the pain wasn’t the end—it was part of the plan (Isa. 46:10).

He pulls us out of our cozy spots because we are too hard-headed (as my momma would say) to listen any other way. I’ve been there—kicking against change when He’s just trying to get my attention (Act 26:14).

Here’s the thing, though—this isn’t some fluffy “everything’s fine” motivational talk. I’ve heard folks say God’s too nice to judge anyone, that we’re all just waltzing into Heaven no matter what (Matt. 25:41-46).

But the Bible’s clear: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). If God did not judge, or even deire we righteouly judge ourselves and others, how do you explain how one can accept the very process of salvation (John 7:24, Rom. 2:1-6).

At minimum, it must be righteous to judge ourelves sinners in need of a Savior (salvation) and that others need a relationship with Jesus as well. Therefore, how can judgment, itself, be evil?

Anyway, John 3:16-17 is all about His love, sure, but Ephesians 2:8-10 says it’s faith and grace that get us there—not a free pass. For me, tapping into God’s plan means letting go of my pride and following Him, especially in tough stuff like forgiving people who’ve hurt me (Matt. 6:14-15).

When one grew up in foster care which is an entire lifetyle of being rejected and becoming bitter, trust me, forgiveness is that much more difficult.

You ever step back and see how the Bible ties together? I see three overarching themes throughout its pages. First, God shows His glory—Isaiah 14 has Lucifer wa cast down after being judged evil because sin cannot be in God's presence.

Then, He offers that glory to us through our Lord Jesus, taking our sin on Himself (Ibd). Finally, Revelation 22 promises He’ll restore everything, bringing us back to Him, spotless. No sin allowed, but He loves us so much He fixed that problem with the cross (Psa. 5:4, Habak. 1:13).

It’s like He’s saying, “I’ve got this—I’m bringing you home.” This encouragement is need right now a America is in the grips of President Donald Trump melt-down!

But getting there? It’s not automatic. I’ve got to give Him everything—my heart, my messes, all of it.

Here are four (4) things I have been more clearly understanding as of late:

Point 1: It’s His Plan or Bust

I used to think I could squeeze God into my life—like He’s just one piece of the puzzle. But nah, He’s got to be the whole picture. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”

Yet, before going forward, keep in mind that discernment is key because His plan can appear to the carnal eye as a bust (Luke 24:13-21). A prime example is Jesus ending up on the cross, killed, and to His disciples, it looked like failure (Luke 22:54-62).

Jeremiah 29:11’s teaches us: “I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you, not to harm you, to give you hope.” Then Proverbs 19:21 smacks me with, “You’ve got your ideas, but My counsel’s what lasts.”

When I try to cook up my own schemes, it’s like I’m drifting from Him—sinning, really.

Satan’s the schemer; God’s the planner. I’ve learned the hard way—my ideas without Him just are always a disaster which unfold or waiting to happen! Real talk.

Point 2: Let the Master Sign Off

Ever tried running your life without checking in with God? Yes, I have and it turn out not just a mess, but a hot mess (Prov. 14:12).

Psalm 32:8 offers: “I’ll teach you the way to go; I’ll guide you with My eye.” Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit your work to Me, and your thoughts will line up.” It’s not just nodding at Him—it’s letting the Holy Spirit steer me.

I had dream of worldy success, but they don’t click unless He’s blessing them. Otherwise, I’m just chasing my own tail, thinking I’m clever when I’m not (1 Cor. 8:2).

Here is an example, the Lord, from around age 12, gave me a talent for building custom, recreational bicycles with an urban flair.

Here is just one which I remodeled using an old beach cruiser frame:

Sorry for the grainy image but when I took the yellow bike, "EXE" into a local bicycle shop for a new rear hub and the mechanics and customers FREAKED OUT! They loved it.

I have lived with this talent since at least 1983 yet the Lord has not allowed me to pursue it as a business. I have like 80 sketches of never before seen, yet easy to get to market proto-types I drew 20 years ago and could have produced hundred more since then, each of which would be unique!

During that same period, I was a founding partner in a wrist watch company called Banneker Watches which endures to this day. For those who own or have seen the beauty of luxury woods in watches, that all began with us, in 2004 (Denver, Colorado).

Yet, I was never able to enjoy the fruits of either (bikes or watches) for reasons I won't get into here. The point is when the Bible says, "the Lord can shut door no man can open and open door no man can shut," it is true in the most literal sense (Rev. 3:7).

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I now understand jut a tiny fraction of the reason for Jesus slamming such doors in my face. Frankly, there is no way I am a old-out for the cause preacher/pastor, let alone building this platform if either (or both) manifest (Matt. 6:24).

Point 3: My Pick Isn’t Always His

I can't count the number of times, even using the Lord's Name to validate, when I knew what was best (Prov. 3:5-6).

Look at Sarah in Genesis 16—she hands Hagar to Abraham because God’s taking too long. Moses in Exodus 3? He’s all, “Not me, Lord,” but God sends him to Egypt anyway. Joseph and Mary in Luke 2 get stuck at the inn, but God’s got a manger ready.

My first choice is usually about what is comfy or quick, but His is always right.

Satan loves jumping on that, doesn’t he? He sneaks in where I’m weak, twists God’s Word, and dangles whatever I’m craving—control, food, you name it. Check out Eve in Genesis 3 or Jesus in Luke 4—same playbook.

I’ve got to lean on God’s truth to dodge those traps, because my gut’s not as smart as I think.

Point 4: Grab What He’s Got for You

Here’s what keeps me going: what God’s got for me is mine. Jeremiah 29:11 feels personal—like He’s talking straight to me.

But I can’t grab it if I’m clinging to people who don’t care about Him. I’ve had to let go of some ties, and it stings, but Jesus said if I love anyone more than Him, I’m not worthy of Him (Matt. 10:37).

The spot He’s prepping for me—my purpose, my peace—it’s worth chasing Him for.

I think about those exiles in Babylon, building homes because God said, “Settle in—I’ll bring you back” (Jer. 29:5-7).

Or Jesus, staring down the cross, knowing He could call angels but choosing God’s way (Matt. 26:53-54).

They trusted when it looked hopeless. I’ve got my own “captivities”—days I feel stuck or broken—but God’s smarter than that. He sees what I can’t, and His plan’s not to wreck me but to lift me up (Ibd).

I have messed up plenty—pushing my way instead of His. But every time, He’s pulled me back, showing me He’s got this. It’s not about my brain figuring it out; it’s about my heart saying, “Lord, You know better.”

So yeah, “God is really smarter than you”—it’s not a dig, it’s a relief. Jeremiah 29 and Matthew 26 tell me He’s got me covered, even when I’m a mess. His plan’s bigger, better, and tougher than mine, but it’s also full of hope.

I’ve just got to quit fighting it—drop my schemes, trust His smarts, and run toward what He’s got waiting. Because honestly? He turns my stumbles into strength and my pain into purpose.

That’s the Lord God we can follow anywhere.