Master Master-Schedule Scheduler

We are gearing up for the beginning of school. I will see students this week! For me, the most important things I need to have before I can really jump into my preparations are my schedules and the student roster. I am amazed by the complexity of the master schedule which tells each class when their special subjects are, when to be at the lunchroom, when the playground is available for recess, etc. Our school is K-12. Many of the “specials” teachers and coaches teach across grade levels and all of the school spaces are heavily utilized. It is a masterful feat of “Tetris” to have the schedule turn out right. I am very thankful for the individuals at my school who take on this heavy task, though they will be the first to admit that the schedule isn’t perfect. It usually requires some adjustments after the first week. The master schedule is a daunting thing!

This weekend, I have been so thankful as I reflect on how the Lord has been encouraging me recently. He has used Bible studies, sermons at church, chapel messages at camp, professional development at school, songs, and individual conversations or testimonies. There have been many times in the past month (and countless times in my life) when I have gone to church or sat in a Bible study or had a conversation with a friend (or stranger) that was exactly what I needed at that moment.

I reflected further on how this is not only evidence of God’s care for me, but also his omniscience (his wisdom and foreknowledge). God doesn’t just see my need and react to it. He has planned in advance how to meet my need before I even was aware of it. For example, my home church frequently teaches through one book of the Bible at a time (though there are occasional topical sermons or a focus on just one passage). When I hear a message from the pulpit at just the right time, it has been potentially planned out a year or more in advance. The chapels at my school follow the traditional church calendar and use the Anglican book of common prayer. This book and schedule were literally developed centuries ago, yet the psalm we read the other day felt like the author had been listening to me pour my heart out.

Of course, there are also times when God speaks through individuals in more direct ways. For example, this morning at church, a pastor told me he had really been burdened to pray for me all last week (I really needed it!). Because of how God had already prompted him, I felt I could share my struggle and was able to spend an extended time with him and his wife sharing what I was going through, praying, and receiving support and encouragement from them. The matter of scheduling came up again. I probably wouldn’t have seen them this morning if what I had planned for the afternoon hadn’t been postponed due to COVID. These individual touches definitely make me feel special and loved, but I am really amazed when I think of the 1500 people at my church who are also getting exactly what they need from God in His timing through the same schedule of sermons, even if their struggles are different. God’s care, of course, extends further to the members of the Bible studies I’m a part of and the school community, and to all who love and seek God. I know that God is able to do the same thing for every person on earth who has ears to hear and loves and submits to God’s word.

He is really the master master-schedule scheduler. He has all human history laid out, knowing what each of His sheep need and when they need it. Then He uses other sheep to meet those needs, sometimes through a special prompt of the Spirit, sometimes through a careful long-term plan.

For those struggling, be encouraged because He cares for you.

P.S. In case you were wondering about my weird school schedule, I wrote this two months ago and just now got around to posting it. Who knows? Maybe He has a reason for that as well. =)

Photo by Eric Rothermel on Unsplash