Learn From Jesus in the Midst Of Your Plan B

Standing in the room, I chatted with the other two ladies and breathed a sigh of relief that there weren’t more people in the class.  The music began and so did the instructor.  No, I was not in a ballroom dancing class, although that would have been a Plan A place for me to be.  Instead, I had decided to do something different, learn something new and fun: Zumba! In case you’re not familiar with Zumba, it’s a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program.  I’d seen the advertisements on television and decided it would be a great way to workout.  However, I am not a dancer so Zumba has been a stretch for me.  I’ve been attending for several months and am trying to learn the steps.  In the meantime, while I’m sure I look more silly than sane, I am getting a good aerobic workout.

What about you?  Are you learning new things?  Or are you set in your ways?  Why is it important to learn new things?  Physically and mentally, stimulating activities strengthen our brain cells and bodies.  Spiritually, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29, “…learn from Me.”

When Jesus says, “learn from Me,” He is not making a casual suggestion.  Rather, in Matthew 11:29, “learn” is in the aorist imperative tense.  The Discovery Bible explains that it is a command to “do this!”  (Don’t just try!)  BEGIN to do this now!  In other words, Jesus calls us to a specific and definite decision to learn from Him!

Why would Jesus give this command?  He is interested in you.  He loves you.  He sees what you are going through.  He has compassion.  And, He has a better way for you to handle your Plan Bs than you might imagine.

What can we learn from Jesus?

We learn from Jesus that we can find rest for our souls.  Spiritual rest is not dependent on the circumstances of our lives being perfect.  Rather, soul rest is the result of walking in step with Jesus.

We learn from Jesus that a way to stand against temptations (that often land us in Plan Bs) is by having Scripture memorized and applying it in the face of temptation.  When Satan came to Jesus in the wilderness and tempted Him, Jesus didn’t fall for Satan’s lies because He knew the truth (Scripture) and stood on it.

We learn from Jesus how to forgive….from the heart.  We learn that no matter what someone has done to us, it doesn’t compare to how we’ve sinned against God. Matthew 18:33

We learn from Jesus to pray in the midst of whatever we’re going through or whatever decisions we’re making.  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,” Matthew 7:7. We find Jesus praying all night before He selected His disciples.  We see Jesus praying before He divided the fish and loaves.  We hear Jesus praying outside of Lazarus’ tomb.

We learn from Jesus not to worry.  Although that can be a hard one in the midst of Plan Bs, Jesus clearly states, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble on its own,” Matthew 7:34.

There is so much we can learn from Jesus.  Are you being obedient to His command to learn from Him?  Learning Zumba is a fun optional way to get a workout.  Learning from Jesus is not an option if you want to experience rest for your soul.  Why not begin learning spiritual steps from Jesus today?  You may even discover it is fun.

Excerpts from The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan, copyright Debbie Taylor Williams 

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