Beyond Planning

Beyond Planning

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. Revelation 3:7-8

An old Yiddish proverb says, “Man plans. God laughs.” That may make you smile, but planning without God is not a laughing matter. It is not only boastful, it is sinful.

Coaches are always planning. They plan their entire schedule for the year—every practice, every meeting—at the beginning of the year. Then they simply live out the plan. And when things occasionally go contrary to the original plan, they make adjustments.

But without a plan, without a vision, without something to strive for—even if God adjusts it as you go—nothing is going to happen, and you may be missing the very thing that God wants you to do.

Have you had people in your life who have blessed you by spurring you on to greater things? What you might not know is what motivates them. I suspect, more often than not, those people had someone encouraging them to think beyond what was right in front of them, to dream of what might happen if they minimized the moments in their lives when they looked back and said, “I wish I had done that differently.” They want you to avoid that.

So what is it that God has laid on your heart and is calling you to do? Sing? Write? Start a ministry? Mentor a child? Be a better husband or wife? Spend more time with your children? Be a friend to someone who has none? There is no doubt that God has a plan for your life and mine—but He expects us not only to plan but to do something about it. If He wants us on a different track, He will lead us there.

Uncommon Key > Don’t wait until it’s too late to do the things you wish you had done. Get started on what you think God wants you to do—He’ll make the needed adjustments along the way.