Next month marks the 77^th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of Normandy, which was the beginning of the end of World War 2.  Originally codenamed Operation Overlord, D-Day was the largest amphibious assault in the history of warfare.  On June 6, 1945, 168,000 Allied troops supported by 1,200 aircraft and 7,000 ships stormed the beaches of France to drive the Nazi war machine back to Germany.  With the technology and communication capabilities of the time, it’s a miracle that it succeeded. And the success or failure of the operation rested largely on the ability of the Allies to keep a secret. Somehow, in the swirl and chaos of war, the German high command had to be kept in the dark about the timing and location of the landing during the 2 years it took to prepare for the invasion.

To maintain secrecy, the US government developed a strategy called “need to know.” The basic principle of “need to know” is that you “only tell a person the facts they need to know at the time they need to know them, and nothing more.” Everyone knows a piece of the plan, but few, if any, know the entire scope of the operation.  And so, the confidentiality of the operation is kept from the enemy because, except for a few people, no one really knows what’s going on.  But each person is responsible for their own piece.

When you think about it, working on a “need to know” basis takes a lot of faith.  It’s hard to carry out orders when you don’t know how everything fits together.   And soldiers are often asked to do things that from their limited perspective don’t make a whole lot of sense.  But they learn to trust that even though it may appear that there’s a better or more efficient way to get something done, there is a master plan. And in the large scheme of things, everything is happening in the exact order and timing needed for optimal success.

I think God often operates on a need-to-know basis with us.  He has a good and wise plan that works together to advance his kingdom, bring him glory and benefit his children (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28).  But many times he only entrusts us with the details we need to know to complete the task immediately in front of us.  There’s a bigger picture that we cannot see. So, from our limited vantage point, many times our situation doesn’t make sense, seems haphazard or even counter-intuitive. But we are only holding one small piece of a much larger puzzle.  An essential part of Christian discipleship is understanding that we operate with limited knowledge, but God is working out the larger picture, so we can trust him.

As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

As a pastor, I have a front row seat in watching this play out time and time again. Right now, I have a friend who received “marching orders” and stepped out in faith in several major areas of her life.  But I won’t lie.  The assignment hasn’t been easy. She’s walking a razor thin wire as she awaits God’s timing and provision. But God has been faithful in his provision up until this point and she has full confidence that he will provide for tomorrow as well.  There’s a plan that she currently can’t see and she’s operating on a need to know basis.

Operating on a need-to-know basis is hard.  But there’s one thing that makes it easier- knowing the One who holds it all.  We may not see the plan, but we can always get to know the Planner.  The blueprint may be hidden, but we can always talk to the Architect.  In fact, maybe that’s the key to it all.  As we learn to trust our Father’s heart, we can release our need to control or even know the ultimate plan. 

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10