God's Special Ops

The Call to Special Operations
Hey everyone. For 20 years, I worked for the state, part of the prison's special response team. Think of us as the SWAT team, but for inside the walls.
When things got intense – a resident in secure housing harming themselves, others, or property, and where sending in regular staff risked serious injury – they called us. We had the training, the skills, the equipment. And it worked. We had a successful outcome 98% of the time. (Stick around, and I'll tell you about that other 2%!)
Growing up, one of my favorite shows was "The A-Team." Anyone remember it? It was about these wrongly convicted ex-military guys who helped people in tough spots. Their leader always said, "I love it when a plan comes together."
That's how it felt on the special operations team. There's a real satisfaction when a solid plan leads to a good result.
So, let me ask you: Do you love it when a plan comes together? How's life been going? Are you walking, running, or maybe even crawling right now?
The Power of the Plan (The 98%)
When we went into a difficult situation in the prison, it wasn't chaos. It was coordinated. We moved as a unit, with specific roles, wearing protective gear, in a formation we had planned, trained for, and used countless times. Let's call that the plan. A well-thought-out approach, the right tools, and practiced teamwork – that's what made the difference in those 98% of the situations.
When the Plan Goes Sideways (The Other 2%)
But what about the times when the plan didn't come together? Those are the stories that stick with you. Let me share a couple of those moments...
Situation 1: We were called to a room where a resident was reportedly asleep. We were told it wouldn't be a problem. We'll call this "doing life without the plan."
So, three of us walked into the room, dressed just like I am today – no special gear, no formation. And guess what? The person suddenly jumped up, eyes wide open, and started throwing punches.
Situation 2: Another time, a resident was self-harming in a confined space, covered in water and blood. We had a plan for this. I was right outside the door with the team. But instead of following the training, a decision-maker said, "Just get in there!"
So, we did. Only two of us could get to the resident at a time. When it was over, we'd taken a lot of hits, and we were soaked in water and blood too. The resident survived, so it was "successful" in a way. But it could have gone so much better if we'd stuck to the plan.
Your Life and The Ultimate Plan
Thinking about those situations in the prison, it makes you wonder... Could your life have gone better at times? Could it still? We all face times when we feel like we're taking hits, maybe even drowning in the mess of it all.
But here's the incredible truth: God has a plan for you. It's not about our protective gear or training. Instead of our blood being spilled in the chaos, realize what we have because of Jesus' blood sacrifice.
Walking Instead of Crawling
Remember when I asked if you were walking, running, or crawling? That image really hits home. Without God, we often feel lame, like life is just throwing punches. But with God, we can walk. We can move forward with purpose and strength.
God planned our redemption not because we were a minor problem, but because we desperately need it – and because God loves us deeply. Our salvation, our rescue from the toughest situation, is found in Jesus.
Embracing the Plan
So, here's the invitation: Confess, repent, and place your faith in Jesus. It's God's plan – the ultimate special operation designed for you. And don't you just love it when a plan comes together?
Amen.