Committed

Committed

Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

My parents raised my siblings and me on this verse. The words are so familiar that it’s almost like a friend giving me encouragement and clear direction in every season of my life. My parents helped me understand at a very early age that God would walk alongside me and bless me as long as I remained in His will. That is, if my siblings and I were doing the right things and following the pursuits that God put on our hearts.

Note, however, that the verse doesn’t give any indication of timing. We don’t know if God’s plans are for tomorrow or four years from now. For some people, the journey is long, like William Wilberforce, who worked for over forty years to abolish the slave trade in Great Britain. And it may be hard to recognize any discernible success. God calls us to be available and faithful to His ways and His Word. The result is up to Him; the impact and influence in the world and for His purposes happens in His timing, by His hand—and ultimately for our good and His glory. He has the big picture clearly in mind for each of us. If we commit to Him, our plans will succeed, as success is defined by Him.

Will it always be considered success in the world’s eyes? Not always. Things will occur which may or may not be recognized by society as successful, but the standard we tried to be guided by was whether the success resulted from committing our actions, lives, day-by-day efforts, and decisions to the Lord.

It probably got me in a little trouble at times—especially as a head coach—when I would suggest that while our goal was to win football games, make it to the playoffs, and even win the Super Bowl, there were other things I wanted our team to focus on that were more important to me. The reason? Because that is what I believed God called us to. To build traits like integrity and character, to help others in need, to seek God’s guidance and wisdom in every decision we made. To commit every action, everything we did, to the Lord.

What standard of success are you following? Are you seeking to make a difference and have a positive influence in the world around you? Are you committed to a plan or to Him?

Uncommon Key > Change your plan into His plan today. Do things for the right reason—to glorify God and be in His will. And your plans will succeed—at the time and in the way that God chooses.