Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Past and Present - Plan B



We've started a new message series at Mainstreet Church based in part on the Pete Wilson book, Plan B. Plan B is about when your life takes a different direction than you had thought. Things like divorce, an illness such as cancer, job loss, a wayward child etc. can force us to rethink our direction and change the plans we had in mind for ourselves. As I've worked through the different weeks of the series planning our church gatherings - music, drama, videos and such, it has caused me to consider my own life, and if it's gone down the path I had in mind.

I can remember as a very young child telling my mom that I was going to be a doctor; I know... just about every kid says the same thing. When we started going on vacation to Florida and I saw the ocean, I decided I was going to be a marine biologist. And in my early teens, as I got really involved with church stuff and attended Christian school, I just knew I was going to be a missionary. Of course, all of that went right out the window (including my church involvement) when I discovered the guitar; now I was going to be a rock star!

I bought my first guitar from Staff Music on Canton Rd. in Akron in about 1974 or so - a Yamaha FG75 acoustic. The first rock song I learned all the way through was Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd; I was on my way. In 11th grade, I sold everything I had and bought an Ibanez Les Paul 59'r from Akron Music. I even paid the price on the hang tag (I never forgave Roger for that one) and I was really on my way. At some point in my blog I'll detail out my 15+ years in the NE Ohio band scene, but for now, suffice it to say that my "Plan A", becoming a rock star didn't pan out; I guess I'm living in Plan B.

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I've certainly had some amazing adventures in my Plan B and long ago came to the realization that God's plan for me (my REAL Plan A) was to work full time in ministry, which I've done now since 1997. The really amazing part of this plan is that right now, music and playing my guitar are a main part of what I do for a living - hmmm.

God's plan is always better than anything we can dream up. I was thinking this morning that I never, ever thought I'd be a worship pastor at a church, it never crossed my mind, but I can tell you that I wouldn't change God's plan for anything.

So, tell me about your Plan A and Plan B - how has your life turned out for you? Please respond!