Quiet Time Series: When Plans Go Sideways but God Shows Up

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9

It was supposed to be simple: wake up, pack up, leave the Airbnb by 7 a.m., and head to the airport. But daylight savings time had other plans. We lost an hour without realizing it, and by the time we piled into the car, it was already 8:30. Stress mounted as we rushed to check in. While my nephew-in-law hurried to return the rental car, the rest of us shuffled through luggage drop, only to hear those dreaded words: “Final call for boarding.”

And yet, despite the chaos, we made it. The flight was smooth, the landing was gentle, and I couldn’t help but smile at the irony. My plans felt fragile in the morning, but God’s timing held steady all along. It brought to life the words of Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

We plan. We schedule. We map out the details. But life doesn’t always go according to plan. Sometimes the “sideways” moments are where God proves He’s still in control.

The Illusion of Control

We love to think we’re in control. The color-coded calendar, the travel itinerary, the perfectly packed suitcase—it all feels like security. But the truth is, control is often an illusion. As John Lennon once said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” That rushed morning at the airport reminded me that no matter how organized I try to be, there will always be factors outside my grasp.

The key is not to panic when things unravel, but to remember that God’s hand is still steady. Psalm 37:23 says, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.” Firm doesn’t mean flawless; it means trustworthy.

God’s Hand in the Gaps

Even in the scramble, God made a way. No long lines at check-in. A smooth pass through security. A safe landing in Auckland. These weren’t coincidences; they were reminders of provision. As Corrie ten Boom once said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

When our efforts fail or our timing falters, God’s presence fills the gaps. The flight didn’t just get us from point A to point B—it was a visible reminder that His plans hold, even when mine fall apart. Isaiah 55:8 affirms this: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

The Freedom of Surrender

Surrender isn’t about giving up; it’s about leaning in. There’s peace in admitting, “I don’t have to control this because God already does.” That morning could have unraveled into frustration, but instead, it became a story of grace.

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become.” Releasing my grip didn’t erase responsibility, it freed me to focus on what mattered: family, gratitude, and trust. My day no longer felt like a scramble but like a testimony of God’s care.

✨ Soul Work: Self-Assessment Questions

1. When was the last time my plans went sideways, and how did I respond, panic or peace?

2. Where am I clinging too tightly to control, and what would it look like to surrender that to God?

3. How have I seen God fill the “gaps” in my life when things didn’t go as expected?

Final Thoughts

Looking back, the missed timing and frantic rush weren’t failures, they were reminders. My plans may crumble, but God’s never do. That morning in the airport was less about stress and more about surrender. The flight wasn’t just about reaching Auckland; it was about realizing that peace doesn’t come from perfectly executed plans, but from a faithful God who establishes every step.

Proverbs 16:9 isn’t just poetic—it’s practical. It tells us that our part is to plan, but our peace comes from trust. Plans are fragile, but His providence is firm. And when life takes a sideways turn, maybe it’s not a detour at all—maybe it’s the exact path He had in mind all along.

Your Turn

This week, when something doesn’t go the way you planned, pause. Instead of spiraling into stress, whisper a prayer: “Lord, establish my steps.” Let the sideways moment become sacred space where you see God’s hand at work.

Soul Path Insights