“Can we change our supper plans” Ivan asked? "I have a conflict of schedule for
Monday and was hoping we might change it until Tuesday evening."
“Let’s play it by ear,” I replied. “I return to the U.S. very early Wednesday morning and so I
need to see how the day unfolds.”
“Play it by ear,” Ivan replied in his distinct
Russian/European accent. “What a
lovely term.” I didn't think much of my answer, but for Ivan, a professor of culture and music, he thought my reply was almost melodic.
The idiom, “play it by ear,” is a common expression, at least
for me, meaning to put off making a decision or making definite plans until the
time arrives. Rather than playing
by notes, the formal way of playing any instrument, playing by ear means you adjust the sound of the music at the precise moment you are playing
the piece. Playing by ear seems to be a theme with me this week.
The discussion in the class yesterday was on worldview and
fatalism. Does God “have a
wonderful plan for your life," a slogan many pastors use in their preaching, or is each day playing it by ear? If everything is predetermined then
this week planned by God has either been a big cosmic joke or a divine master plan
that will be revealed sometime between time and eternity. From my finite perspective I cannot reconcile a
week of incompetence, of time and money wasted, to be a part of His great
eternal narrative.
I have always been conflicted between accepting God’s
sovereignty over my life and my will to choose how life will be “played” out
any particular moment. Four months ago I chose to
be here this week, However, had I had all the proper information prior to buying my
ticket, I would have chosen to stay at home. And, though I know that His divine plan will not be thwarted by either
incompetence or poor decision making, it seems as though there is another
dynamic that is often left out of the discussion as it pertains to man’s daily
activities…choice based on direction.
Proverbs 16:9, “A man’s mind
plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.” Each day we make our plans, we “play it
by ear.” Sometimes we make our
plans with the best intentions and all the facts. Other times, too many times perhaps, we make plans based on
emotion or our own desires. When
we find ourselves in a pickle
(another great idiom meaning lousy circumstance), we can analyze our decision
based through reflection…am I here because of sound judgment or because of
whim? How can a well-intentioned
decision, directed by God, turn out to be such a train wreck (meaning
cataclysmic outcome)?
In reality, each day we play life by ear. A thousand decisions made within a span of 14 to 18 hours,
we choose our words and actions, which have consequences for tomorrow and
throughout eternity. If we choose
foolishly we have no one to blame but ourselves by its outcome. If choice is made with eyes and ears
open, listening for God’s directions for our steps, He will guide us. However, in spite of stories like Joseph (who was sold as a slave by his brothers) I do not believe we must spiritualize every bad situation we find ourselves in as God's plan. Many times bad things happen to good people because of the improper actions and decisions of others. Reflecting on my current dilemma, I would like to think that in the future I will be even more careful before I make my choices, by perhaps asking more
questions (though in this particular case I did ask the right questions only to find out later the answers I received were not accurate). No one has control over
the incompetence or lack of ethical practices of others and so in reality none of us will be able to completely cover
their bases (a baseball term meaning to make sure that all positions are
guarded), but with added scrutiny perhaps the Lord's direction will be clearer.
So, Ivan, maybe we will enjoy a nice Thai meal together on Tuesday, or
maybe not. We will have to see how
the day unfolds, whatever that means.
