Planning Your Future
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
I like to plan. I like to know what is going to happen and I like to have something to look forward to. I don't think I am really that different from most people, but when I plan something and then rush to accomplish it, sometimes it doesn't work out.
Planning ahead can be good and bad. Planning for something that is not in God's plan will usually fail, so as Christians we sometimes feel that we shouldn't plan at all. "God's running the show" is something I hear and I know it is true, or at least God should be running the show, but He won't be if I don't let Him. Should we plan? Should we not plan? This is a very complicated subject.
We could plan something and tell ourselves and others "If God wills, I will do such and such." This is biblical if we believe it and if we actually do allow God to have control of our lives.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
But don't fool yourself. Is your intention is to do whatever you have planned whether God wills it or not? But we can ask God for knowledge and wisdom while we plan, He will give it to us. Our conscience and our gut feelings about things are often God's way of telling us yes or no.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
So we know that we can plan in such a way as to hope that something will occur if the Lord wills, or if it works out. If we force the occurrence to take place and then say it was the Lord's will, that action will probably not prosper. We have free will. We can make things happen that aren't in our best interest. God will allow us to make these mistakes. That is why planning ahead is so difficult. We want to make sure we are doing what God wants us to do. If our plans are evil or seeking after fame or wealth at the expense of others, we will reap what we sow.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9
God wants us to plan. We can't just flop around, waiting for some miraculous sign from Him. It is perfectly okay for us to make plans, to hope that certain things will happen, to have goals. He just wants to be in on the planning. Communication with God is everything .
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
If, in our planning, we make sure that our communication with God is open and honest and we delve deep into our hearts to discern what is driving the plan, whether it is selfish in nature or not, we can be assured that the Lord will establish our steps.
It is not wrong to say, " I hope when I retire, I can do this or that" or when I graduate, I plan to become a this or that", as long as we commit our ways to the Lord and allow Him to open and close doors without stepping in to force them.
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3
I have made plans without God and I have made plans with God. Making plans with God is so much less stressful. To know that He is with me every step of the way makes the journey more joyous.
It may seem as though the plans of the non-Christian often succeed and it is true , but we know their ending. Success in this world is not what we seek. Remember that the powers of darkness rule this world but we are not of the world.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Something to keep in mind when you are planning (and being impatient as I am). God always wants what is best for us. He will lead and He will guide if we talk to Him and if we listen. It might not make sense to us at the time, but trust in the Lord. He knows what He is doing and He knows your heart. He is a loving father who is not going to ignore the desires of His children.
I like to plan. I like to know what is going to happen and I like to have something to look forward to. I don't think I am really that different from most people, but when I plan something and then rush to accomplish it, sometimes it doesn't work out.
Planning ahead can be good and bad. Planning for something that is not in God's plan will usually fail, so as Christians we sometimes feel that we shouldn't plan at all. "God's running the show" is something I hear and I know it is true, or at least God should be running the show, but He won't be if I don't let Him. Should we plan? Should we not plan? This is a very complicated subject.
We could plan something and tell ourselves and others "If God wills, I will do such and such." This is biblical if we believe it and if we actually do allow God to have control of our lives.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15
But don't fool yourself. Is your intention is to do whatever you have planned whether God wills it or not? But we can ask God for knowledge and wisdom while we plan, He will give it to us. Our conscience and our gut feelings about things are often God's way of telling us yes or no.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5
So we know that we can plan in such a way as to hope that something will occur if the Lord wills, or if it works out. If we force the occurrence to take place and then say it was the Lord's will, that action will probably not prosper. We have free will. We can make things happen that aren't in our best interest. God will allow us to make these mistakes. That is why planning ahead is so difficult. We want to make sure we are doing what God wants us to do. If our plans are evil or seeking after fame or wealth at the expense of others, we will reap what we sow.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9
God wants us to plan. We can't just flop around, waiting for some miraculous sign from Him. It is perfectly okay for us to make plans, to hope that certain things will happen, to have goals. He just wants to be in on the planning. Communication with God is everything .
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
If, in our planning, we make sure that our communication with God is open and honest and we delve deep into our hearts to discern what is driving the plan, whether it is selfish in nature or not, we can be assured that the Lord will establish our steps.
It is not wrong to say, " I hope when I retire, I can do this or that" or when I graduate, I plan to become a this or that", as long as we commit our ways to the Lord and allow Him to open and close doors without stepping in to force them.
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3
I have made plans without God and I have made plans with God. Making plans with God is so much less stressful. To know that He is with me every step of the way makes the journey more joyous.
It may seem as though the plans of the non-Christian often succeed and it is true , but we know their ending. Success in this world is not what we seek. Remember that the powers of darkness rule this world but we are not of the world.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Something to keep in mind when you are planning (and being impatient as I am). God always wants what is best for us. He will lead and He will guide if we talk to Him and if we listen. It might not make sense to us at the time, but trust in the Lord. He knows what He is doing and He knows your heart. He is a loving father who is not going to ignore the desires of His children.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
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