He is world-famous, rich, successful, said by many to be the best ever at the position he played. He continued in his superlative achievements unabated for almost two decades. Still at the top of his class, he finally decided to end his career. One would think that he could make that decision and announce it whatever way he chose. But it didn’t turn out that way. The news leaked out and soon many of his admirers lamented his loss to the world of sports. He then had to hurriedly produce an anticlimactic declaration of his plans for his own retirement. I remember hearing repeatedly that it was a shame he could not announce the end of his illustrious career “on his own terms.” In spite of all that he had, and all that he had done, Tom Brady was not in control.
Our culture is all about choice, whether it be about where we live, who governs us, how we approach life, or what we believe. We demand choices in everything, and the more the merrier. Have you looked at the number of different breakfast cereals from which you can choose at your average grocery store? How about salad dressings? Tom Brady wanted to announce his own retirement, but others beat him to it. I don’t think Tom’s wishes were unreasonable, but he ultimately had no choice. Reality intervened.
Lately it seems that people have pushed the envelope to include making choices that attempt to defy reality. Some want to choose their own right and wrong, their own gender, and even their own “truth.” They seem to believe that the concepts of “freedom” and “choice” include ignoring things that others of us see as unchangeable. Ignoring reality can be a dangerous choice, especially when God is taken into consideration.
Two different Psalms (14 and 53) begin with the statement, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Looking like a fool is one thing. Most of us look like it now and then. However, these verses define “the fool.” Someone who ignores the existence of God is a genuine fool. When we think, make decisions and plans, or act like God doesn’t exist, we are fools. Period.
Proverbs 16:1-9 states it more emphatically, and repeats the emphasis. We can plan, but the Lord is involved in carrying it out (v. 1, 9). If we involve him in our plans, our plans will succeed (v. 3). If we want to live in peace with others, we need to please God first (v. 7). The idea is if we take God and his word into account, including him in our planning, things will go very differently than they would otherwise.
Now, I have no idea what Tom Brady was thinking when he made his plans. It is quite possible that he did not announce his retirement at first because he was still mulling it over, and was forced into it by the folks who announced it prematurely. Ultimately, he chose to “unretire.” I am not trying to criticize him or judge his actions or words. But one thing is certain. What happened was not “on his own terms.” No matter what any of us does, there is always a Reality above and beyond what we choose or desire that supersedes our plans. We ignore that Reality – the Lord – to our peril.
When we take God into account, including him in our plans, success and peace will be part of the result. The success may not be what we intended, but if we trust God in our plans, they will be successful nonetheless. That success may be beyond anything we could imagine (see Ephesians 3:20)! They won’t be on our terms, they will be according to the unimaginable riches of our loving Lord!
Are you making plans? Is there something you are trying to do? Consider whether you are making them on your own terms, or including God in the process. The difference could be amazing!