Plan B

The Tribe of Joseph faced a real challenge in occupying the land Joshua allowed to them: The Canaanites.  The trouble was that the Canaanites had iron chariots, making them virtually impossible to drive out of the most desirable land: the plains (see Josh 17:17ff). So Joshua told them to take the hill country.  They told him the hill country was not enough land so he told them to take the mountain areas as well.

The plains would have been so much better for building towns and planting fields but they were not yet ready to take on the chariot-driving Canaanites. The more challenging hill country was not quite adequate so on to the mountains covered with trees they would have to cut down in order to terrace.

The message found here is that when your first choice isn't doable, don't hang it up, come up with an alternative, move on to plan B. As a biker, I will one day reach an age when keeping two wheels upright will no longer be advisable. I could retire from biking or I could get a trike. If your vocal chords give out and you can no longer preach or teach, how about writing?  If health keeps you from the mission field, how about becoming a prayer warrior for missionaries?  Vision preventing you from driving?  Take a bus. Can't see to read?  Use audio books. Can't jog for miles any more?  Walk for blocks.

The point being that life is often more about creatively pursuing a plan B than successfully executing plan A. In fact, you can count on plan A moving beyond your grasp at some point as you age and are edged out of the big leagues and moved down to the farm league. Our A-Team status will be down graded to a B. And even while we are up to our A game, we can expect some B outcomes from time to time. We can fold up or we roll into a new circumstance or position or season.

Here's what Solomon has to say on the subject, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Eccl 9:10).   Do plan A if the Lord allows. But, if not, look for plan B and when you find it, give it your all. What's that old Army motto?  "B the best you can B in the [Lord's] Army!"  I know I've taken liberties with the motto, but I have a class "B" poetic license. Jus' Say'n.