We like to make plans. It is in our nature. Short term plans. Long term plans. Back up plans. Travel plans. Work plans. Friend plans. Financial Plans. Retirement plans. Weekend plans. Career plans. Education plans. Holiday plans. We even make plans for after we die.
So, planning is something we do. Mostly because we live in this world that has time and since we can’t plan for the past and we live in the present – our plans are all most always rooted in the future. So, we try to plan for all scenarios and desires and fears. In other words, we try to manage the future.
Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with planning. In fact, the Scriptures teach us to use our time wisely and to be prepared. But, what gets us in a pickle is when we put more focus and faith in our plans than in God’s purpose for us.
Think about how much time we spend making plans. And how often we have to change those very plans or circumstances derail those plans or we just don’t like those plans any more. It happens all the time. We’ve spent all this time on a plan than no longer is useful. Not to mention, when our plans go wrong or they don’t work out or worse case scenario life throws you a major curve ball and you’ve not adequately prepared for whatever spot you find yourself in and you have NO plan. Think about how we react. We become upset. We worry. We stress. Rarely do we have a positive attitude and rarely are we excited when our plans don’t work out.
Solomon reminds us that in our minds we have many many many plans but that’s all they are. Plans made by men who have no control over others, outside events, and definitely no control over the future. So, our plans often crumble and with them – so do we because that’s where our faith and focus has been…on OUR plans.
Instead, we should put our focus and faith on God’s purpose because Solomon tells us it will ALWAYS stand. Nothing God purposes and nothing God has planned for will fail. But those purposes and plans are of a spiritual nature. They are about getting us to heaven and securing salvation. They are not about our earthly desires and worries or priorities.
This proverb gives me great comfort. I’m a planner. I have plans for plans. I am control freak. And life always reminds me how little my plans and control efforts go. But, instead of crumbling I try to take a deep breath and think –
What is God’s purpose for me? To serve Him and bring others to Him. Has that changed? No.
What is God’s purpose for this life on earth? To mold and train us so we become the beings He wants us to become. Has that changed? No.
What is God’s ultimate eternal purpose for mankind? That we love and obey Him so we we spend eternity with Him. Has that changed? No.
So when your plans crumble and life just doesn’t seem to be going according to your plan. Remember, that’s all they are…plans. God has a purpose for you and it will NEVER change.
Adonai's Appeal 