God says, I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a bright future. – Jeremiah 29:11
His mother said that her first memory of him was “arms raised over his head and hands clenched in fists – he has always been a fighter.”
Youngest son.
Happy family, with Jesus Christ at the center.
Fathers’ business began to struggle, and debt took over.
Father began to drink, and the once happy family descended into darkness.
Bankruptcy.
Divorce.
Determined to attend college and play football, he and his mother shared a bedroom and bathroom.
Not easy – but he did what he had to do.
“I went to college as an 18-year-old thinking I’m gonna be a pediatrician. I was a pre-med major, biology major for three years. And then I just had this moment of, ‘God, this isn’t what I want to do.’ You know, I was doing it for the wrong reasons.”
After graduation his college coach offered him a graduate assistantship enabling him to stay in college and work on an MBA, planning a career in hospital management.
And then .,. he realized that he LOVED coaching, and knew that this was what he was born to do.
Then his coach offered him a full time job as an assistant coach.
And today, Dabo Swinney is the head coach at Clemson University.
Dabo had plans.
Plans to attend the University of Alabama.
Plans to play football there.
Plans for a professional sports career.
Plans to become a doctor.
And then, the realization that “this isn’t what I want to do.”
When God is first, He will guide you down the best path.
Dabo needed motivation to break out of the dysfunction that was his family. Playing football and becoming a doctor were the visions that he needed.
While on the path to medicine, God changed his desires.
God changes our desires to align our will with His will. He doesn’t MAKE us do anything. He simply reveals our hearts’ desire.
If Dabo hadn’t wanted to become a doctor, he would have never gone to college.
If he hadn’t attended The University of Alabama, he would have never met coach Gene Stallings.
If he hadn’t met coach Stallings, he wouldn’t have become a graduate assistant.
If he hadn’t become a graduate assistant he would have never realized his life calling of coaching.
“We can make plans but The Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9
There are a few absolutes in life… death, taxes, CHANGE.
Living things grow, and growing things change.
Are you living out the desires of your heart?
Are you stuck in “your plans”?
Daddy takes us through different stages of life. We grow in each stage. Sometimes a total change of direction is needed to live our hearts desire…sometimes just a change of one degree.
STOP
Ask Daddy to show you the desires of your heart.
CHANGE
You have been prayed for today.
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