Sunday 24 May 2026

Have you ever experienced the disappointment of plans and dreams not unfolding the way you had hoped? I have.

Early in my teaching career, Felicity and I were all set for a year-long teacher exchange in the United States. We had made plans, prepared for the opportunity, and looked ahead with excitement and expectation. But it fell through. God had other plans.

Many people make goals for the future with anticipation and hope, whether in career, ministry, family, or personal aspirations, only to encounter closed doors, unexpected delays, or unanswered prayers.

At the same time, people often place their sense of security in things that seem stable: finances, success, health, or the promises of others. Yet these things can suddenly change. Jobs may be lost, health can weaken, opportunities may disappear, and even human promises can fail.

Moments like these remind us how limited human strength and earthly security truly are, and how deeply we need something greater and more dependable to hold onto.

The good news is that God promises He has good plans for His people.

In Isaiah, we are assured that God’s devotion toward us never departs. He is faithful and steadfast. His Word reminds us of the unchanging nature of His love, even when the world around us feels unstable and uncertain. God keeps His promises, and their ultimate fulfilment is found in Jesus Christ.

Take time to ponder the words of Isaiah 54:10:

“Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
Yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed.”

As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, we are reminded of one of God’s greatest fulfilled promises, that He would never leave His people alone. Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, and at Pentecost, that promise became reality. Today, if you are a believer, the Holy Spirit lives within you and remains with you forever. In uncertain times, we are not left to rely on our own strength; we have God’s very presence walking with us each day.

And a small follow-up to our story: when that dream exchange opportunity fell through, another door unexpectedly opened. Following an interview, I was appointed to my very first principal’s position. Looking back now, I can clearly see that while our plans changed, God’s plans were greater.

That’s often the way God works. When one door closes, it may simply be because He is preparing to open another one with an opportunity we could never have imagined.