This year, like every year, I filled out a bracket for the NCAA basketball tournament. I make the mistake of thinking about my picks. I look at stats. I read what some of the so-called experts think. And I often end up doing worse than those who make picks based on which team mascot seems tougher or which team’s color they like best.

This year my bracket looked good until the second game of the tournament. I knew Iowa State was going to do well and go far. And they lost their first game.

Our predictions look great on paper, in the tournament and sometimes in life. But then upsets happen. The unexpected comes along. Our family gets hit with a sickness we never saw coming. Financial troubles come out of nowhere. We never predict accidents, but they come anyway.

Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” We predict not only basketball games but our lives. Our predictions often don’t work out. My life hasn’t gone the way I predicted, for which I am very thankful. The Lord’s purpose prevails and His purpose is always best. He knows what is going to happen and He knows what to do. Nothing happens in “the game of life” that surprises the Lord. Even though we fail miserably at predicting life, it’s okay. We can trust that God is in control.

Now if my prediction of an Oregon win just comes true tomorrow …