Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the
Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Have you ever heard of someone who spent years of
preparation for one vocation only to end up doing something completely
different? Perhaps this could be said of you. Quite often we have in our minds what we
believe we want to do only to have a course correction. Often the course
correction comes through a major crisis that forces us into an area that we
would never have considered.
Such was the case for Samuel Morse. Born in 1791, Morse
grew up desiring to be an artist, and he eventually became very talented and
internationally known. However, it was difficult to make a living as an artist
in America during that time. A series of crises further complicated his
vocational desire when his wife died; then his mother and father also died soon
after. He went to Europe to paint and reflect on his life. On his return trip
aboard a ship, he was captivated by discussions at dinner about new experiments
in electromagnetism. During that important occasion, Morse made the following
comment, "If the presence of electricity can be made visible in any part
of the circuit, I see no reason why intelligence may not be transmitted by
electricity." In the face of many difficulties and disappointments, he
determinedly perfected a new invention, and, in 1837, applied for a patent that
became what we know today as the telegraph. He also created Morse code. It was
only later, after many more setbacks and disappointments, that his projects
received funding.
Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of
hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward
it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying:
'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my
strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction of
Providence." Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be
recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other
electronic communication
God's plans may not always seem to follow our natural
inclination. Perhaps God has you taking a path that may not lead to His
ultimate destination for you. Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own
understanding, acknowledge Him in all you do, and He shall direct your path
(see Prov. 3:5-6).
Dear Lord, Help us trust You today as we strive to see
what You have planned for us. We pray that we won’t get discouraged when things
don’t go like we think it should. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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