Recalculating... recalculating...

Feeling refreshed from our area staff weekend retreat, I hopped in my car more excited than ever to head to work in York today. I'd woken up earlier and enjoyed my breakfast outside. I was glad to be squeezing in all the extra little things because I knew it was going to be a full day. As I left the sun was shining (and wasn't too hot); I'd left with plenty of time; and I'd finally remembered all the extra things I needed that day (I usually forget something small) and was cruising down the highway. Life was good. Then about 40 minutes into my drive, I get a text from my coworker asking if we were having a staff meeting in Elizabethtown.

Bummer... I was headed the wrong direction. Right attitude, wrong location. I'm glad I was able to laugh at myself as I turned around and headed back across the bridge separating York and Lancaster counties. The lovely british voice on my GPS calmly saying "recalculating" as if this was a expected. I was extra thankful I'd remembered to grab the GPS because now I'd be approaching the staff meeting in Etown from unfamiliar roads. I pulled over for gas and put in the address of the coffee shop in Etown all the while wishing I'd checked my calendar before I left my house that day.

It reminded me of the value of checking in with God for the daily plans which is unfortunately too easy to forget. Routines are only helpful if they help you get to where you need to be. Had I spent a little more time reflecting on God's plans instead of my own. I wouldn't have lost an hour of travel time (or seen a new beautiful part of Lancaster county for that matter). As I prepare for new ministry at York I want to remember that God's got the best plans for the ministry and my part in it. I want to be better at starting each day checking in with him to be breaking ground, planting and growing the gospel on campus as he intends. After all in Luke 5, Jesus knew more about where to cast a net than the fishermen that would become his disciples. I want to follow his directions and begin by being in close conversation with God through prayer for my ministry work on campus. Please pray with me for these students and the funds to help me care for these students.

I don't know all of these students yet, but I know God does and I'm certain he will guide me as I begin to connect with these new brothers and sisters and York.