The Wired Word for 11162025 - CourtneyR.dev's 2nd Brain

The Wired Word for 11/16/2025 ![rw-book-cover](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article1.be68295a7e40.png) ## Metadata - Author: [[The Wired Word]] - Full Title: The Wired Word for 11/16/2025 - Category: #articles - Summary: By the time you use this lesson, the saga of the U. S. Dear Class Members, By the time you use this lesson, the saga of the U.S. government shutdown may be on its way to resolution, but at the time of writing, one significant problem the closure has inflicted has to do with travel, especially as thousands of flights have been canceled and thousands more have been delayed. Many travelers have been forced to scramble to find alternative means to reach their destinations or even to cancel their trips altogether. People have been pushed to find a "Plan B" or even a "Plan C." Is God's will ever fulfilled by alternative arrangements that are thrust upon us? This lesson gives us a reason to consider that question, and to think about the matter of God's will itself. ![](https://www.thewiredword.com/_img/tww_logo_email.jpg) **Government Shutdown Forced Travelers to Scramble for Alternative Means to Reach Their Destinations** ***The Wired Word*** **for the Week of November 16, 2025** **In the News** On Sunday, November 10, the third day of FAA-mandated flight cuts at 40 high-traffic airports across the nation, more than 10,000 flights within, into or out of the United States had been delayed, and more than 3,200 flights had been canceled. This is in addition to restrictions on private and business aircraft use of major airports. The FAA order came in response to the reality that many air traffic controllers, who have gone unpaid since the shutdown of the federal government began, have been calling in sick -- in some cases to pick up side jobs to support their families and, in others, simply being unwilling to work without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told *CNN* that he'd heard from the air traffic controllers that most of them can manage their home responsibilities while missing one paycheck, but none can manage while missing two paychecks, which occurred on Tuesday, November 11. The government closure -- 41 days long as of Tuesday -- is now the longest on record for the United States. Meanwhile, many travelers have had to scramble to make alternative travel arrangements, including turning to trains, buses, the use of personal vehicles or rental cars -- and some even renting trucks from U-Haul and similar services after rental cars were booked up. Some people are canceling trips altogether. Secretary Duffy has warned that flight cancellations would grow if the government shutdown continued, and that flights could be reduced to a "trickle" ahead of the busy holiday season. Monday evening, the Senate passed a measure that, if also passed in the House and signed by the president, will bring the shutdown to an end. Even if that occurs, it will take several days to unwind the tangles the shutdown has caused, with air travel issues being significant among them. More on this story can be found at these links: [US Surpassed 10K Flight Delays, Most Disruptions on a Single Day Since Government Shutdown.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPA7ousAV-2BR-2F5mS0DDmLU4DBfoJyxuhMF7neK61Y2INfGiowCYMpZ8EUKSkoyRSqW8Ozv8Sz0w3pkj27AAiuP3SnHIjFP8agM-2B3CDwEgPGtGHUKdjizoR4p-2F5vcXbxylUjhMx6Q9KC3GLoWXdNs8CLj4-3DGwkv_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHDdFQWpT63RpOnofuj8OqiNPauVsjIqdoS8YC0I3PtgXGjX0vpL-2BZFwhHD7nYaWlygUHE4JI-2F4J9DgeyOXfHOvYpRre2zXbkKn7tCMxBU5Y7hdyWDUHgy6W7Pwrg8oOVFug5kPNX7pqHkfXn-2F5d1L1n3Dtk93sgbrExpvxC2sctXB1Kc8GH-2FwNKgQG3AP9qQzmWoMogC3eyXzB2v2v5CbFg-3D) [*USA Today*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPA7ousAV-2BR-2F5mS0DDmLU4DBfoJyxuhMF7neK61Y2INfGiowCYMpZ8EUKSkoyRSqW8Ozv8Sz0w3pkj27AAiuP3SnHIjFP8agM-2B3CDwEgPGtGHUKdjizoR4p-2F5vcXbxylUjhMx6Q9KC3GLoWXdNs8CLj4-3D-1LN_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHO-2B6yxKStOOV-2FJipxrR7eJuVkvCV0M0p0RGgA-2BO5Fd4O19NdAz-2BbuETg9m2VE4HqPSOxLWc-2FA-2F3zs2J4BE-2FMNDoMkSWqeVXv9EQYms2bNisZRVyck2qd8kCE73YROaSexQf-2Fiic8K4FA7pk5ECkDyNOzHZzVhpbcWtADAv7Jy0fbxsbMgJqAn7OEFrUkv0GwjTD0hK6OyjH7ggg9M8Spkfs-3D) [As Flight Cancellations Rise, People Are Turning to Trains, Car Rentals and Creative Solutions to Get to Their Destinations.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HfrigFdFHiv0-2FUmUsR9pqzxxzA-2BlVG4NEMgjEpr3CAk61D0SVxqnGJiiCxkLofuMnpC30Phy5rqNKRhToGx6JG168N_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHGmTfGX02XX7BYZkNHIhWo4oU2F6pd5iL6hyYWG-2FcYTuwR8Cojp4oasCKMB5EdwN87UtyRtDu0faQlRoTJHF6tKaL25UqdeUuwT484Y7HATuF5zDFgQffzxuaSNAPuKKZPlLD3ok2-2F4LU5mAF3D7Tt6AH9D7tqDtztRHrOCOWZYiDeC8NWtOD8Rgr-2F3cPjZvrEQ8QicyUkyCt-2B-2BCOGk6lyg-3D) [*CNN*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HfrigFdFHiv0-2FUmUsR9pqzxxzA-2BlVG4NEMgjEpr3CAk61D0SVxqnGJiiCxkLofuMnpC30Phy5rqNKRhToGx6JGOH2R_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHHG-2BoL-2FZ6UOZOoZvmBl0W7PhRmW-2BWIMP83TF6F6as8qP-2Bp3sNQIWS13a7BRKKmL6IoeqeOL-2BWcrO-2FUEKxKR5JyMsWfMaVENGBCP9KcsrDlMOSx5Wi-2FLPsvzCYYYf8ssoKHXKC0oAvWwO8SsAIm2lM7WgRUTyueNE9TQvtozkWol9z8OV8FkrVv9pVIL5-2BhzsR2UPNwRZVNhH997vyuzqfkk-3D) [Travelers, Confused and Concerned, Are Reconsidering Flying.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPrBfQd9VBC7GR7vWKlLUQJNqjDJHdkNPyC5yoTVvHLHMlZpt6oYZ5EFl7sIqMQq1tR3jEfeBIAFtpbj8nAZeE1QHj42qhOZ7lZlZXr3gbXr1w-3D-3DpZ8o_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHJXxBR2QWVarhMRqeaamUtLNW0fA565PvHR3wxyEyJx1MqFEUebkqg4IWU3v6sO-2FkMvi5dV4ygM8OVc0p7uMCCireSUvJsc-2BoWv5EHUalq5RoNQp0DqZsqeyGonz8tKDyTyHg4kTFjFS2fbjm-2F7p-2B9DWWEEPf1cWVSDS9l1y5C2wLvVWXlrRF5-2Fgp6frbNxpHFvnzDWSQO3cLkUDNHDpsn0-3D) [*The New York Times*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPrBfQd9VBC7GR7vWKlLUQJNqjDJHdkNPyC5yoTVvHLHMlZpt6oYZ5EFl7sIqMQq1tR3jEfeBIAFtpbj8nAZeE1QHj42qhOZ7lZlZXr3gbXr1w-3D-3D6xo8_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHHFelV4qSLv7j76AeyujlkDu04IdiGB4mm2znm5u-2FHglcv-2F4yOr9BAR6vcHZk-2F5ZwzoLyTlEHidlgxlN3Wgm0zIH72v1Kij4aiXpRr1jfWFWLK8uxlzt6rk5XIrvzo-2BxOOVlPwd2y7Emp0m-2BjpAcVPIzsA-2B-2FHU-2B2-2B8RsecigRLkwPJRWIOw4S3ADyu8EBLnVtMIDBSzoW5Xfp3thCWZ07Ls-3D) [Shutdown Will Likely Hurt Thanksgiving Travel, Transportation Secretary Tells](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3DY0Na_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHEV6EK9YXSKKMQqR53qIrjeMT40OYwTFtv9FB1Yd5eYUz-2FoisHL23byyOa0al3QgWreZ26-2FIJ-2FKY-2BSnB08-2BaVuLSJ8OD3rkpEp94eoOKyp-2FIb0gyNhuRWH4oBIOV-2FpwKPhELQ1sJ6n9BW1COQzIO52kFF8tJdnAqENjTIn6E4PMZoWLBUqX0tgM3nny8o-2BYmQX8ZQAxY6Veg9EvkNfPINgI-3D) [CNN](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3DUmH6_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHM7JlsnT9XIPwYO7oywayjacqF-2Fd2HK-2B4-2BadqjqMlwncbolMM9rJQeTD9yepBjOLGmIfSD1HuZeeWqwBG7cF9OV7-2FiBPpBrK4wlvQToWovEOiDAMKx2U1xXNClzqeu29huxcNqT6-2BLypAezPD5zYlNx3eLl-2F2U-2F0REou29N0G5yAMRWEmEIVX2E8QmfPg3u3wmTt81zOc9lsg3j-2Fj9G4or0-3D) [(video).](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3Dd8-z_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHBbPWnpd4IQE69h1oI7rh8yW6XD7wwlSXQ5zbBWop6NPks4MbuDx1WQtvw5t78V2D3jtOeMBhfCLxfgvjXFqDats9aUEi8A7P5B9TKcfdx-2BCxWLWVXKS68QD4oIKJPNGKk8MLl0C-2F9XU24wTikuAZOEot12Np26kEoQQA3Q9MKxRo-2FakEoPiU3oqJVMaftgwKxyLQ0UJqQpPNyiBpcD2cbU-3D) [*CNN*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3DNL1h_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHCibkzg9ib7SBYAwVI5HDXbvvg-2BP0nxYAXSB2OKqhqBg7jtgM1bcXV6v9GIEy8s4JUvLhQeAj4s7huvfd8o7uNfr0lHCV1xudiTHNR7IQqRPhAVGhMkBSYQ9NZI2yj35jyVe81xuiMdFtVDGbQYDx1BUl7sH0qEGk2S3TjsvFcEYfCXHCMhmTjofGqKz4spvldGU2MaKi5w-2FtsBdvgbQ9yQ-3D) **Applying the News Story** Sometimes, our travel plans don't work out or other plans in our lives are stymied. Sometimes we have to substitute "Plan B" for what we initially intended. As Christians, we may even decide that God's will is being fulfilled by the alternative arrangements that are thrust upon us. Or we may simply conclude, philosophically, that "stuff happens" and that there is no other meaning attached to the altered circumstances. This lesson gives us a chance to think about and discuss these matters. **The Big Questions** 1. Jesus is quite clear (and said more than once) that God's will for all of us is that we should live righteously and love our neighbor. But beyond that, does God have a detailed plan for each of us that includes what sort of job we should take, whether and whom we should marry, how many children we should have and whether we fly or drive to a given destination or cancel the trip? If so, how -- if at all -- does God lead you to follow the plan, and what happens if you fail to follow it? If God does not have a detailed plan, what plans or intentions *does* he have? 2. Whether or not God has a detailed plan for each of us, to what parts of his general will for humankind should we be most attentive? 3. What is your response to this statement, seen on a church banner: "The sign of God is that we are led where we did not intend to go"? Is it sometimes true that God's will and our good get worked out by our plans *not* working out? Explain your answer. 4. How does the explanation that "stuff happens" collide with the idea of God's will? How might the two work together? 5. When has traveling opened your mind and heart to experience a freshness in God's blessing? **Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope**Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: **Amos 7:14-15***Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'"* (For context, read [Amos 7:7-15](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxg8V8LGOaCCrJUCa0iGsET4ZFqd84tYdYhBtm2HmWd32dG8cXww7iiDfp0MGLqX1-2FegDv_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHDheRnnOrks7wS-2BPnBS-2F9K1uPnuNIFT6ef0ReK85YUSWgivd3RYbNElC3F45Qvvw4auGgVQkTTbD3EZPn5zg5toL9TsGhtRBbQk9KBDo302FEY8fad1cnTEjHR8va61M7kPH-2FlxDW8V0URtnR-2FYy295lEWBeFYKDNPNPyRjd0JcxVX2nq6xPnXAt-2F2tbdkbwnXg86rQHKpBSgjz69StNcro-3D).) Amos lived in the eighth century before Christ, during the time when some unholy things were going on in the northern Hebrew kingdom of Israel. The rich lent money to the poor, and when they could not pay even a small debt, the lenders sold the debtors into slavery. Lavish buildings were being built while the uncared-for poor and sick sat at the gates begging. Dishonest merchants used fixed scales. Court decisions could be bought. Idolatry was widespread, but even those who avoided idol worship and prayed to God instead were sometimes guilty of observing only the outward forms of religion while failing to love their neighbor. Worst of all, the prosperous considered their very prosperity a sign of God's approval of how they were living. These people clearly were not doing the will of God. At that point, God summoned a herdsman named Amos to call the people to repentance. Amos was a devout man, but not trained in religion. Yet when he was called by God, he responded. At God's instruction, Amos traveled to Bethel, where there was a shrine to God. Amos talked about God holding a plumb line in the midst of Israel, and the people being far "out of plumb" spiritually. Amos' message angered the crowd, and Amaziah, the chief priest of Bethel, reminded Amos that he was a foreigner from Judah, the southern Hebrew kingdom. Amaziah's message was: If you want to prophesy, Amos, go home to Judah and tell them about their sins, but leave Israel alone. Amos responded, making the statement quoted above. To put this in a contemporary setting, Amos was saying, "Look, I'm not preaching here because I've got a yen to be a minister. I'm a layperson, a sheepherder, but God has called me to speak to this situation, and I've got to obey him." > **Questions:** What can we learn about God's will *from* Amos? What can we learn about God's will *for* Amos? What can we learn about God's will for *us*? **James 4:13-17***Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money." Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that."* *As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.* *Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it commits sin.* (No context needed.) At first glance, these words from James seem to be a simple statement of wisdom in a world where God is sovereign. James seems to be describing a situation where a person speaks with certainty about plans for the next day, and then James asserts that such certainty is misplaced because it does not allow for the possibility that circumstances or God himself may intervene to bring about a different outcome. That's all true, but James is intending something more here. He means his "tomorrow" example to be heard in the context of his second-to-last sentence above: "As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil." He is addressing traders and business people, individuals whose primary energies are directed at how they will make money on tomorrow's endeavors. Minimally, James criticizes them for their assumption that they can depend on the future as though it were secure. But even worse, they show that they operate by the wisdom of the world, which "blesses" profit-making as the highest value. The awareness that human existence is a "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" encourages modesty rather than arrogance concerning human plans and projects. > **Questions:** At what point do boasting and profit-making become wrong? How might your appointment calendar reflect your interest in doing God's will? **Luke 12:18-21***Then he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry." But God said to him, "You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.* (For context, read [Luke 12:13-21](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxYyXWZYQ9lUolNd22Ezpv-2FM3RoIyw1-2F4l8GrclUAHGVV94Szr9c8Oy6A9RKTHafrvj9cU_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHP22fP8znRUAQaH-2FJL5s2xIA8KfNmcVPscR-2FOiWPBNSqFZcOsZyfDLeHHcrVNcqM5wOT6DZx7KIuL7U8uoL4IYC5humzGIVJyq-2Bq9m5XX3KNcd7lb9lOjjmftHRztT0kRlbXT3Iw7UveEfzX2K5BCPuOaah1IMVAf5N8DM64bZURw3Xi77cZNPefvkMAeVr3eS7ScThttEsSSBoCHwwpEsE-3D).) This is the concluding portion of Jesus' parable of the rich fool. (Read the context verses if you don't recall the parable or don't recall what prompted Jesus to tell it.) > **Questions:** In what ways does this parable illustrate what James was saying in the scripture entry above? What is the "airline flight" that the rich fool "missed"? How might your investment portfolio show that you are "rich toward God"? **Matthew 2:12***And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the magi] left for their own country by another road.* (For context, read [Matthew 2:1-12](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxWtnvLLG9dM2F2UPA5PeWksmd8NvMDXr2IFQQOX56CLkZ-2BMZDQhSpa2RmbnQd50e-2BNUXj_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHMfYYhANFhGkPGhqtA35XBZacAMu9AlIM5jxjG7sbXNLOFQ-2BHPpZn2nbivhCr4sawrdoM-2BfsRCo3rbotRrMTX1dLZvbXFqDR-2F8LudUsM4LVLB5wTVUp-2FXPKryKFvhWXLZ-2FWnPFpyr9dAH8RyruLO0DzP9kn5mIJnR34hPCjgMDnwRzHKIIHp2qg3D3pgPUnJ0GZC9A8Xh7b5x82TDN0ic-2Fo-3D).) Having to make adjustments to one's travel plans due to maneuvers at a government level is not a new thing. Here the magi selected an alternative route home to avoid helping Herod in his plot to kill the baby Jesus. > **Questions:** In what ways is your daily life part of a spiritual journey? What "star" are you following? Where is it taking you? When have you made journey revisions, and why did you make those changes? **For Further Discussion** 1. "Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from god." This is a quote from Kurt Vonnegut's 1963 novel *Cat's Cradle*, where it is a saying of the fictional religion, Bokononism. The quote suggests that one should embrace unexpected and unusual travel plans as a way to learn and grow. In the book, a follower of Bokononism would happily agree to a bizarre detour, seeing it as a valuable lesson. How might this same quote apply to a Christian understanding of God? 2. A TWW team member tells of hearing a man years ago say that God had been nudging him for quite some time to enter the ministry, but the man wasn't interested. Then one day, he missed a flight he had planned to take, but when he later learned that the plane had crashed, he felt that God had quit nudging and was now shouting at him. So he then quit his job and enrolled in a seminary. Do you think God works like that? What about the people who died in the crash? Could that have been God's will as well? 3. Regarding doing God's will, consider the story of the late Dr. Steven Kopits (1936-2002). Although of normal size himself, he became one of the few surgeons in the world who specialized in medical care for people born as "little people." Such people often suffer from a genetic condition that causes them to be born with severe deformities, including club feet, bowed legs, splayed hips and limp spines. Their limbs and torsos are disproportionate. But the biggest problem of what used to be called "dwarfism" is dysplasia, an abnormal alignment of bones and muscles that causes pain, crippling, functional disability and even premature death if left untreated. As an orthopedic surgeon, Kopits worked to correct these problems so that little people had a chance to lead normal lives. One thing that set Dr. Kopits apart from some of his colleagues was how involved he got with his patients. "I love them," Kopits admitted. "The preached doctrine is that you cannot be a good physician if you get emotionally involved with your patients. My doctrine is that you cannot be a good physician unless you do get emotionally involved." He also reported that his major motivation for working with little people was because "they are a disabled population that was not being helped." Kopits didn't set out to treat this population. He became an orthopedic surgeon because that field interested him. But after a patient with dwarfism came to him, and Kopits was able to help, others began to come as well. But here's the pertinent point for us: Kopits has helped many little people, but he refused to take all the credit. He said, "Always I have felt that I was being taken by the hand. If you can say nothing else about me, you can say that I am a man who is doing exactly what he was meant to do." And so, it seems, was Amos (see Amos passage above). And so can we. God's will doesn't normally come to us written on a cloud or spoken as an audible voice. But God's will can sometimes be ascertained nonetheless in the opportunities that present themselves, in the talents God has given us, and in the inner nudges God sends. 4. Respond to this, heard in a sermon: Not every impulse we feel to go in a direction not previously planned is a call of God, and we need to test those calls. Here are some ways Christians through the years have done that testing: * **Do the obvious.** For example, if one direction is obviously in line with the idea of loving our neighbor and another is not, then the one that shows love is the one most likely to be God's will. * **Do what is clearly at hand.** God may be calling you to work for him on the other side of the planet, but if the needs you keep seeing are the ones in your own community, those are ones to which God is most likely directing you. * **Consider your abilities and talents.** Some things we can rule out because we are not capable of doing them. For example, if you have very little artistic talent, it's unlikely God would call you into service where you'd need to do much with art. * **Test your call in the Christian community.** Ask several members whose wisdom you respect and whose faith you admire to respond to the idea that it is God's will for you to do whatever it is you are feeling called about. Ask them to listen objectively and probe your motivations. * **Use your best God-given judgment and pray for clarity as you proceed.** A man once said, "I prayed for advice but got no clear answer, so I just used my common sense." Of course, God can use common sense as a way to communicate with us. One way to test that is to pray, "Lord, I think you want me to do thus and so. I am going to begin in that direction. If this is not what you want, please let me know in some way." * **Allow for the direct workings of God.** For example, see the Dr. Steven Kopits account in entry #3 above. **Responding to the News** TWW Team Member Mary Sells comments, "While the shutdown could end within days, we should be mindful that many government employees are working without pay [i.e., their pay is delayed] -- and those who wish not to do so are causing some of the delays at airports, while others are caused by traffic cuts to offset shortages and to pressure negotiations. How are we showing gratitude to those who work without pay because it is for the common good? "Beyond government employees, there are many volunteers that continuously, silently do good works to benefit society without any pay ever. Can you name places in your community that rely upon unpaid workers to do the good works of society (churches, shelters, food pantries, etc.) and find ways to thank them?" **Prayer** O Lord, grant traveling mercies to those attempting to travel during these government shutdown days and their aftermath, when the shutdown is resolved, to negotiate the avenues of transportation so that they can reach their destinations safely. Help us to live out our discipleship in our life journey as well, open to your will, insofar as we can perceive and perform it. In Jesus' name. Amen. ****Copyright 2025 Communication Resources**** [Unsubscribe From This List](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user_id=14323725&data=COi1SLU7aEN0OFwCdkTxxNHu949mhTo39OUE4eOT7sRoMDAwdTAwMG0CEuOZU0pUn8nMlkj50dfkn5RzJm6T-rYTEvYixeKzEYmrjNwV1favXFWKp1Oa_e21LLw-ZpCBWcXZTm317sDFkySmhors0ILCpy0ngTbA46J8fPtvb3jSaE3eg2Le7WHjk9Wmy5GHgP8o6QBA1ZvG4tR3xJ--RHe4RNuEUkv_xYn_oALf_VpTBeU-s_6JL4UblZIqXBpYl1FxR9sJa7p0eSnCgC1DdlVkmTyqkMRf_Gx-0dTMh-DXziqYcKb0XqSRTnr0G6zl3aehfKSEVJeCTflEK1U_V4uwY9KyP5RGtvdQGvJkwP0LVv-pcpoTI35OIkSAlC9NN8PJztnTnxiU6zmnoO-MXCwqqBcXvR8bXiWFtjMHajKbBpwaFW-6fOzquV1bFC6GG8YIzvyyAcxNjoBeyUzljl5y1vdyL0_Xg2VSLwnr9WW8iptASOlQQPbaomKsLbQINBEwaYRw-YGhiEZr3JoT4IghhwwS3DdQdFlvslILU7T8Yter8ZIeGM-4T8bhDzfx8UBLgUyDofZ68ZMpEt0rNfvzZr6tBlvE_j4upK4z96y9EbHC23ZyBM-6Ui7X3eFZQkaYb-8wxqk=) <div>Dear Class Members, By the time you use this lesson, the saga of the U.S. government shutdown may be on its way to resolution, but at the time of writing, one significant problem the closure has inflicted has to do with travel, especially as thousands of flights have been canceled and thousands more have been delayed. Many travelers have been forced to scramble to find alternative means to reach their destinations or even to cancel their trips altogether. People have been pushed to find a "Plan B" or even a "Plan C." Is God's will ever fulfilled by alternative arrangements that are thrust upon us? This lesson gives us a reason to consider that question, and to think about the matter of God's will itself. <center><img src="https://www.thewiredword.com/\_img/tww\_logo\_email.jpg"/></center> Government Shutdown Forced Travelers to Scramble for Alternative Means to Reach Their Destinations The Wired Word for the Week of November 16, 2025 In the News On Sunday, November 10, the third day of FAA-mandated flight cuts at 40 high-traffic airports across the nation, more than 10,000 flights within, into or out of the United States had been delayed, and more than 3,200 flights had been canceled. This is in addition to restrictions on private and business aircraft use of major airports. The FAA order came in response to the reality that many air traffic controllers, who have gone unpaid since the shutdown of the federal government began, have been calling in sick -- in some cases to pick up side jobs to support their families and, in others, simply being unwilling to work without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN that he'd heard from the air traffic controllers that most of them can manage their home responsibilities while missing one paycheck, but none can manage while missing two paychecks, which occurred on Tuesday, November 11. The government closure -- 41 days long as of Tuesday -- is now the longest on record for the United States. Meanwhile, many travelers have had to scramble to make alternative travel arrangements, including turning to trains, buses, the use of personal vehicles or rental cars -- and some even renting trucks from U-Haul and similar services after rental cars were booked up. Some people are canceling trips altogether. Secretary Duffy has warned that flight cancellations would grow if the government shutdown continued, and that flights could be reduced to a "trickle" ahead of the busy holiday season. Monday evening, the Senate passed a measure that, if also passed in the House and signed by the president, will bring the shutdown to an end. Even if that occurs, it will take several days to unwind the tangles the shutdown has caused, with air travel issues being significant among them. More on this story can be found at these links: <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPA7ousAV-2BR-2F5mS0DDmLU4DBfoJyxuhMF7neK61Y2INfGiowCYMpZ8EUKSkoyRSqW8Ozv8Sz0w3pkj27AAiuP3SnHIjFP8agM-2B3CDwEgPGtGHUKdjizoR4p-2F5vcXbxylUjhMx6Q9KC3GLoWXdNs8CLj4-3DGwkv\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHDdFQWpT63RpOnofuj8OqiNPauVsjIqdoS8YC0I3PtgXGjX0vpL-2BZFwhHD7nYaWlygUHE4JI-2F4J9DgeyOXfHOvYpRre2zXbkKn7tCMxBU5Y7hdyWDUHgy6W7Pwrg8oOVFug5kPNX7pqHkfXn-2F5d1L1n3Dtk93sgbrExpvxC2sctXB1Kc8GH-2FwNKgQG3AP9qQzmWoMogC3eyXzB2v2v5CbFg-3D">US Surpassed 10K Flight Delays, Most Disruptions on a Single Day Since Government Shutdown. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPA7ousAV-2BR-2F5mS0DDmLU4DBfoJyxuhMF7neK61Y2INfGiowCYMpZ8EUKSkoyRSqW8Ozv8Sz0w3pkj27AAiuP3SnHIjFP8agM-2B3CDwEgPGtGHUKdjizoR4p-2F5vcXbxylUjhMx6Q9KC3GLoWXdNs8CLj4-3D-1LN\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHO-2B6yxKStOOV-2FJipxrR7eJuVkvCV0M0p0RGgA-2BO5Fd4O19NdAz-2BbuETg9m2VE4HqPSOxLWc-2FA-2F3zs2J4BE-2FMNDoMkSWqeVXv9EQYms2bNisZRVyck2qd8kCE73YROaSexQf-2Fiic8K4FA7pk5ECkDyNOzHZzVhpbcWtADAv7Jy0fbxsbMgJqAn7OEFrUkv0GwjTD0hK6OyjH7ggg9M8Spkfs-3D">USA Today </a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HfrigFdFHiv0-2FUmUsR9pqzxxzA-2BlVG4NEMgjEpr3CAk61D0SVxqnGJiiCxkLofuMnpC30Phy5rqNKRhToGx6JG168N\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHGmTfGX02XX7BYZkNHIhWo4oU2F6pd5iL6hyYWG-2FcYTuwR8Cojp4oasCKMB5EdwN87UtyRtDu0faQlRoTJHF6tKaL25UqdeUuwT484Y7HATuF5zDFgQffzxuaSNAPuKKZPlLD3ok2-2F4LU5mAF3D7Tt6AH9D7tqDtztRHrOCOWZYiDeC8NWtOD8Rgr-2F3cPjZvrEQ8QicyUkyCt-2B-2BCOGk6lyg-3D">As Flight Cancellations Rise, People Are Turning to Trains, Car Rentals and Creative Solutions to Get to Their Destinations. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HfrigFdFHiv0-2FUmUsR9pqzxxzA-2BlVG4NEMgjEpr3CAk61D0SVxqnGJiiCxkLofuMnpC30Phy5rqNKRhToGx6JGOH2R\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHHG-2BoL-2FZ6UOZOoZvmBl0W7PhRmW-2BWIMP83TF6F6as8qP-2Bp3sNQIWS13a7BRKKmL6IoeqeOL-2BWcrO-2FUEKxKR5JyMsWfMaVENGBCP9KcsrDlMOSx5Wi-2FLPsvzCYYYf8ssoKHXKC0oAvWwO8SsAIm2lM7WgRUTyueNE9TQvtozkWol9z8OV8FkrVv9pVIL5-2BhzsR2UPNwRZVNhH997vyuzqfkk-3D">CNN</a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HfrigFdFHiv0-2FUmUsR9pqzxxzA-2BlVG4NEMgjEpr3CAk61D0SVxqnGJiiCxkLofuMnpC30Phy5rqNKRhToGx6JGQbtr\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHAQpcZHg8cDTn30sJG998lwFUNj4OZBpL8m6v-2BbWDkElu-2Blyahm6xKqVGs5aC30UQNyQSLdhJV0VjTiRG2w2mwA68P3BIOuMvbBa35-2FArytT8AZauGWJdzdkGYP-2BrgSRRqaS1sDmXpkqsOvpNx-2BduWhbc-2FNEiuhTheBNB2JgCCqdELob9AjFKKdNcr8U7VPooKOy5MBI6-2BZ4u7SBTBfXGxI-3D"> </a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPrBfQd9VBC7GR7vWKlLUQJNqjDJHdkNPyC5yoTVvHLHMlZpt6oYZ5EFl7sIqMQq1tR3jEfeBIAFtpbj8nAZeE1QHj42qhOZ7lZlZXr3gbXr1w-3D-3DpZ8o\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHJXxBR2QWVarhMRqeaamUtLNW0fA565PvHR3wxyEyJx1MqFEUebkqg4IWU3v6sO-2FkMvi5dV4ygM8OVc0p7uMCCireSUvJsc-2BoWv5EHUalq5RoNQp0DqZsqeyGonz8tKDyTyHg4kTFjFS2fbjm-2F7p-2B9DWWEEPf1cWVSDS9l1y5C2wLvVWXlrRF5-2Fgp6frbNxpHFvnzDWSQO3cLkUDNHDpsn0-3D">Travelers, Confused and Concerned, Are Reconsidering Flying. </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPJjqs9eTHTvMgxKUxOrSDPrBfQd9VBC7GR7vWKlLUQJNqjDJHdkNPyC5yoTVvHLHMlZpt6oYZ5EFl7sIqMQq1tR3jEfeBIAFtpbj8nAZeE1QHj42qhOZ7lZlZXr3gbXr1w-3D-3D6xo8\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHHFelV4qSLv7j76AeyujlkDu04IdiGB4mm2znm5u-2FHglcv-2F4yOr9BAR6vcHZk-2F5ZwzoLyTlEHidlgxlN3Wgm0zIH72v1Kij4aiXpRr1jfWFWLK8uxlzt6rk5XIrvzo-2BxOOVlPwd2y7Emp0m-2BjpAcVPIzsA-2B-2FHU-2B2-2B8RsecigRLkwPJRWIOw4S3ADyu8EBLnVtMIDBSzoW5Xfp3thCWZ07Ls-3D">The New York Times</a> <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3DY0Na\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHEV6EK9YXSKKMQqR53qIrjeMT40OYwTFtv9FB1Yd5eYUz-2FoisHL23byyOa0al3QgWreZ26-2FIJ-2FKY-2BSnB08-2BaVuLSJ8OD3rkpEp94eoOKyp-2FIb0gyNhuRWH4oBIOV-2FpwKPhELQ1sJ6n9BW1COQzIO52kFF8tJdnAqENjTIn6E4PMZoWLBUqX0tgM3nny8o-2BYmQX8ZQAxY6Veg9EvkNfPINgI-3D">Shutdown Will Likely Hurt Thanksgiving Travel, Transportation Secretary Tells </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3DUmH6\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHM7JlsnT9XIPwYO7oywayjacqF-2Fd2HK-2B4-2BadqjqMlwncbolMM9rJQeTD9yepBjOLGmIfSD1HuZeeWqwBG7cF9OV7-2FiBPpBrK4wlvQToWovEOiDAMKx2U1xXNClzqeu29huxcNqT6-2BLypAezPD5zYlNx3eLl-2F2U-2F0REou29N0G5yAMRWEmEIVX2E8QmfPg3u3wmTt81zOc9lsg3j-2Fj9G4or0-3D">CNN</a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3Dd8-z\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHBbPWnpd4IQE69h1oI7rh8yW6XD7wwlSXQ5zbBWop6NPks4MbuDx1WQtvw5t78V2D3jtOeMBhfCLxfgvjXFqDats9aUEi8A7P5B9TKcfdx-2BCxWLWVXKS68QD4oIKJPNGKk8MLl0C-2F9XU24wTikuAZOEot12Np26kEoQQA3Q9MKxRo-2FakEoPiU3oqJVMaftgwKxyLQ0UJqQpPNyiBpcD2cbU-3D"> (video). </a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPKy3TtZJUNBApOSK1-2FQMe4HHAOfVOE8kQCJkrXH6fhO7khiwQy4y6FCaYbzDuJlEeDtyp3wLvl9JYBytaNOt3DJtKGep1nDzvmUZLgKh2-2BrUfxwspkEwtxb-2FW4NP9mIVGQ-3D-3DNL1h\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHCibkzg9ib7SBYAwVI5HDXbvvg-2BP0nxYAXSB2OKqhqBg7jtgM1bcXV6v9GIEy8s4JUvLhQeAj4s7huvfd8o7uNfr0lHCV1xudiTHNR7IQqRPhAVGhMkBSYQ9NZI2yj35jyVe81xuiMdFtVDGbQYDx1BUl7sH0qEGk2S3TjsvFcEYfCXHCMhmTjofGqKz4spvldGU2MaKi5w-2FtsBdvgbQ9yQ-3D">CNN</a> Applying the News Story Sometimes, our travel plans don't work out or other plans in our lives are stymied. Sometimes we have to substitute "Plan B" for what we initially intended. As Christians, we may even decide that God's will is being fulfilled by the alternative arrangements that are thrust upon us. Or we may simply conclude, philosophically, that "stuff happens" and that there is no other meaning attached to the altered circumstances. This lesson gives us a chance to think about and discuss these matters. The Big Questions 1. Jesus is quite clear (and said more than once) that God's will for all of us is that we should live righteously and love our neighbor. But beyond that, does God have a detailed plan for each of us that includes what sort of job we should take, whether and whom we should marry, how many children we should have and whether we fly or drive to a given destination or cancel the trip? If so, how -- if at all -- does God lead you to follow the plan, and what happens if you fail to follow it? If God does not have a detailed plan, what plans or intentions does he have? 2. Whether or not God has a detailed plan for each of us, to what parts of his general will for humankind should we be most attentive? 3. What is your response to this statement, seen on a church banner: "The sign of God is that we are led where we did not intend to go"? Is it sometimes true that God's will and our good get worked out by our plans not working out? Explain your answer. 4. How does the explanation that "stuff happens" collide with the idea of God's will? How might the two work together? 5. When has traveling opened your mind and heart to experience a freshness in God's blessing? Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: Amos 7:14-15 Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I am no prophet nor a prophet's son, but I am a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the LORD took me from following the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'" (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxg8V8LGOaCCrJUCa0iGsET4ZFqd84tYdYhBtm2HmWd32dG8cXww7iiDfp0MGLqX1-2FegDv\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHDheRnnOrks7wS-2BPnBS-2F9K1uPnuNIFT6ef0ReK85YUSWgivd3RYbNElC3F45Qvvw4auGgVQkTTbD3EZPn5zg5toL9TsGhtRBbQk9KBDo302FEY8fad1cnTEjHR8va61M7kPH-2FlxDW8V0URtnR-2FYy295lEWBeFYKDNPNPyRjd0JcxVX2nq6xPnXAt-2F2tbdkbwnXg86rQHKpBSgjz69StNcro-3D">Amos 7:7-15</a>.) Amos lived in the eighth century before Christ, during the time when some unholy things were going on in the northern Hebrew kingdom of Israel. The rich lent money to the poor, and when they could not pay even a small debt, the lenders sold the debtors into slavery. Lavish buildings were being built while the uncared-for poor and sick sat at the gates begging. Dishonest merchants used fixed scales. Court decisions could be bought. Idolatry was widespread, but even those who avoided idol worship and prayed to God instead were sometimes guilty of observing only the outward forms of religion while failing to love their neighbor. Worst of all, the prosperous considered their very prosperity a sign of God's approval of how they were living. These people clearly were not doing the will of God. At that point, God summoned a herdsman named Amos to call the people to repentance. Amos was a devout man, but not trained in religion. Yet when he was called by God, he responded. At God's instruction, Amos traveled to Bethel, where there was a shrine to God. Amos talked about God holding a plumb line in the midst of Israel, and the people being far "out of plumb" spiritually. Amos' message angered the crowd, and Amaziah, the chief priest of Bethel, reminded Amos that he was a foreigner from Judah, the southern Hebrew kingdom. Amaziah's message was: If you want to prophesy, Amos, go home to Judah and tell them about their sins, but leave Israel alone. Amos responded, making the statement quoted above. To put this in a contemporary setting, Amos was saying, "Look, I'm not preaching here because I've got a yen to be a minister. I'm a layperson, a sheepherder, but God has called me to speak to this situation, and I've got to obey him." <blockquote> Questions: What can we learn about God's will from Amos? What can we learn about God's will for Amos? What can we learn about God's will for us? </blockquote> James 4:13-17 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money." Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it commits sin. (No context needed.) At first glance, these words from James seem to be a simple statement of wisdom in a world where God is sovereign. James seems to be describing a situation where a person speaks with certainty about plans for the next day, and then James asserts that such certainty is misplaced because it does not allow for the possibility that circumstances or God himself may intervene to bring about a different outcome. That's all true, but James is intending something more here. He means his "tomorrow" example to be heard in the context of his second-to-last sentence above: "As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil." He is addressing traders and business people, individuals whose primary energies are directed at how they will make money on tomorrow's endeavors. Minimally, James criticizes them for their assumption that they can depend on the future as though it were secure. But even worse, they show that they operate by the wisdom of the world, which "blesses" profit-making as the highest value. The awareness that human existence is a "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" encourages modesty rather than arrogance concerning human plans and projects. <blockquote> Questions: At what point do boasting and profit-making become wrong? How might your appointment calendar reflect your interest in doing God's will? </blockquote> Luke 12:18-21 Then he said, "I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry." But God said to him, "You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxYyXWZYQ9lUolNd22Ezpv-2FM3RoIyw1-2F4l8GrclUAHGVV94Szr9c8Oy6A9RKTHafrvj9cU\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHP22fP8znRUAQaH-2FJL5s2xIA8KfNmcVPscR-2FOiWPBNSqFZcOsZyfDLeHHcrVNcqM5wOT6DZx7KIuL7U8uoL4IYC5humzGIVJyq-2Bq9m5XX3KNcd7lb9lOjjmftHRztT0kRlbXT3Iw7UveEfzX2K5BCPuOaah1IMVAf5N8DM64bZURw3Xi77cZNPefvkMAeVr3eS7ScThttEsSSBoCHwwpEsE-3D">Luke 12:13-21</a>.) This is the concluding portion of Jesus' parable of the rich fool. (Read the context verses if you don't recall the parable or don't recall what prompted Jesus to tell it.) <blockquote> Questions: In what ways does this parable illustrate what James was saying in the scripture entry above? What is the "airline flight" that the rich fool "missed"? How might your investment portfolio show that you are "rich toward God"? </blockquote> Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the magi] left for their own country by another road. (For context, read <a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxWtnvLLG9dM2F2UPA5PeWksmd8NvMDXr2IFQQOX56CLkZ-2BMZDQhSpa2RmbnQd50e-2BNUXj\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmdpqEcqn38BHbVC9jdNGxQm7-2F8sS86D1W6i0-2FY6e-2FwZSy3Lp5926-2BVX0cs-2FNfZpeHMfYYhANFhGkPGhqtA35XBZacAMu9AlIM5jxjG7sbXNLOFQ-2BHPpZn2nbivhCr4sawrdoM-2BfsRCo3rbotRrMTX1dLZvbXFqDR-2F8LudUsM4LVLB5wTVUp-2FXPKryKFvhWXLZ-2FWnPFpyr9dAH8RyruLO0DzP9kn5mIJnR34hPCjgMDnwRzHKIIHp2qg3D3pgPUnJ0GZC9A8Xh7b5x82TDN0ic-2Fo-3D">Matthew 2:1-12</a>.) Having to make adjustments to one's travel plans due to maneuvers at a government level is not a new thing. Here the magi selected an alternative route home to avoid helping Herod in his plot to kill the baby Jesus. <blockquote> Questions: In what ways is your daily life part of a spiritual journey? What "star" are you following? Where is it taking you? When have you made journey revisions, and why did you make those changes? </blockquote> For Further Discussion 1. "Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from god." This is a quote from Kurt Vonnegut's 1963 novel Cat's Cradle, where it is a saying of the fictional religion, Bokononism. The quote suggests that one should embrace unexpected and unusual travel plans as a way to learn and grow. In the book, a follower of Bokononism would happily agree to a bizarre detour, seeing it as a valuable lesson. How might this same quote apply to a Christian understanding of God? 2. A TWW team member tells of hearing a man years ago say that God had been nudging him for quite some time to enter the ministry, but the man wasn't interested. Then one day, he missed a flight he had planned to take, but when he later learned that the plane had crashed, he felt that God had quit nudging and was now shouting at him. So he then quit his job and enrolled in a seminary. Do you think God works like that? What about the people who died in the crash? Could that have been God's will as well? 3. Regarding doing God's will, consider the story of the late Dr. Steven Kopits (1936-2002). Although of normal size himself, he became one of the few surgeons in the world who specialized in medical care for people born as "little people." Such people often suffer from a genetic condition that causes them to be born with severe deformities, including club feet, bowed legs, splayed hips and limp spines. Their limbs and torsos are disproportionate. But the biggest problem of what used to be called "dwarfism" is dysplasia, an abnormal alignment of bones and muscles that causes pain, crippling, functional disability and even premature death if left untreated. As an orthopedic surgeon, Kopits worked to correct these problems so that little people had a chance to lead normal lives. One thing that set Dr. Kopits apart from some of his colleagues was how involved he got with his patients. "I love them," Kopits admitted. "The preached doctrine is that you cannot be a good physician if you get emotionally involved with your patients. My doctrine is that you cannot be a good physician unless you do get emotionally involved." He also reported that his major motivation for working with little people was because "they are a disabled population that was not being helped." Kopits didn't set out to treat this population. He became an orthopedic surgeon because that field interested him. But after a patient with dwarfism came to him, and Kopits was able to help, others began to come as well. But here's the pertinent point for us: Kopits has helped many little people, but he refused to take all the credit. He said, "Always I have felt that I was being taken by the hand. If you can say nothing else about me, you can say that I am a man who is doing exactly what he was meant to do." And so, it seems, was Amos (see Amos passage above). And so can we. God's will doesn't normally come to us written on a cloud or spoken as an audible voice. But God's will can sometimes be ascertained nonetheless in the opportunities that present themselves, in the talents God has given us, and in the inner nudges God sends. 4. Respond to this, heard in a sermon: Not every impulse we feel to go in a direction not previously planned is a call of God, and we need to test those calls. Here are some ways Christians through the years have done that testing: <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">Do the obvious. For example, if one direction is obviously in line with the idea of loving our neighbor and another is not, then the one that shows love is the one most likely to be God's will.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Do what is clearly at hand. God may be calling you to work for him on the other side of the planet, but if the needs you keep seeing are the ones in your own community, those are ones to which God is most likely directing you. </li> <li class="MsoNormal">Consider your abilities and talents. Some things we can rule out because we are not capable of doing them. For example, if you have very little artistic talent, it's unlikely God would call you into service where you'd need to do much with art.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Test your call in the Christian community. Ask several members whose wisdom you respect and whose faith you admire to respond to the idea that it is God's will for you to do whatever it is you are feeling called about. Ask them to listen objectively and probe your motivations.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Use your best God-given judgment and pray for clarity as you proceed. A man once said, "I prayed for advice but got no clear answer, so I just used my common sense." Of course, God can use common sense as a way to communicate with us. One way to test that is to pray, "Lord, I think you want me to do thus and so. I am going to begin in that direction. If this is not what you want, please let me know in some way."</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Allow for the direct workings of God. For example, see the Dr. Steven Kopits account in entry #3 above.</li> </ul> Responding to the News TWW Team Member Mary Sells comments, "While the shutdown could end within days, we should be mindful that many government employees are working without pay [i.e., their pay is delayed] -- and those who wish not to do so are causing some of the delays at airports, while others are caused by traffic cuts to offset shortages and to pressure negotiations. How are we showing gratitude to those who work without pay because it is for the common good? "Beyond government employees, there are many volunteers that continuously, silently do good works to benefit society without any pay ever. Can you name places in your community that rely upon unpaid workers to do the good works of society (churches, shelters, food pantries, etc.) and find ways to thank them?" Prayer O Lord, grant traveling mercies to those attempting to travel during these government shutdown days and their aftermath, when the shutdown is resolved, to negotiate the avenues of transportation so that they can reach their destinations safely. Help us to live out our discipleship in our life journey as well, open to your will, insofar as we can perceive and perform it. In Jesus' name. Amen. 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