Daily Devotional for September 22, 2021

This coming Sunday, Shannon and I will have been eating a whole-food plant-based (WFPB) diet for two years.  It is one of the best decisions we ever made.

For those that aren’t familiar with WFPB eating, it’s like being a vegan on steroids. 

While we did this for health reasons, there have been some interesting, unexpected consequences.

Since I no longer eat meat, I no longer hunt.  That’s because I always ate whatever I hunted.  I was never one of those who hunted just to have a trophy mounted on the wall.  Consequently, we always had plenty of venison in the freezer.

Earlier this week, one of my good hunting buddies from Oklahoma, sent me a message.  He is still adjusting to the idea of me on a WFPB diet.

He wrote, “Been studying a little Native American history, turns out ‘vegan’ is an old Indian word for ‘bad hunter.’”

When the doctor first proposed the WFPB diet, it never occurred to me there would be no more hunting.  This was an unexpected consequence.

Life is full of unexpected consequences. 

No matter how long or well we think something through, the unexpected is always a possibility.

Moses saw a bush covered in fire.  The unexpected consequence was God using him to lead the Israelites through the Red Sea.

Gideon met an angel in a wine press.  The unexpected consequence was God using him to lead the Israelite army to victory over the Midianites.

Joseph had a dream.  The unexpected consequence was God using him to be the stepfather of God’s son.

Never think of these unexpected consequences as something only happening in scripture.

Being a follower of Jesus means unexpected consequences.

As you read this devotional, know that, at this very moment, God is an active presence in your life, working in ways you cannot begin to imagine.  That’s because God has big plans for you.  This means you will end up in places you never imagined, doing things you never thought you could do.  The only thing God asks is that you trust.

The wisest of all people said, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, I do not know what today is going to bring, but whatever happens, I know you are with me.  That’s all I need to know.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

While you may not know what the future will bring, that’s okay.  God’s already in the future waiting for you.  That’s a good thing.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins