Have you ever been part of a project or on a trip with someone who has no plan? Somehow they were put in charge but they don’t have a clue. You nervously ask, “So what’s the plan?” You silently invoke the Lord of Heaven to reveal to them that they need a plan, but alas. Willy-nilly they go, skipping along as though everything will work out without a strategy. Their favorite hymn is “It is Well with my Soul,” and their favorite verse is Romans 8:28.
I need a plan.
Even if that plan is to sit on the beach and watch the water for hours, I need to know that. For a day off, I want to know the night before if the plan includes working in the yard or taking a motorcycle ride. Shall I don my hedge clipping ensemble and catch a shower later, or wake with the sun and be ready for adventure? Garden clogs or riding boots? Tennis shoes or flip flops? I need a plan.
I think one of the reasons the book Purpose Driven Life was so popular, is that Rick Warren pointed out that the Lord has a plan. Not just a universal eternal general plan, but a strategy and purpose for each person. Why would that surprise us?
For me, I think the realization came with his pointing out that God doesn’t just love the world… but that He loves me as a unique individual.
And He has a plan… a specific grand personal plan just for me.
Once I understood that, I see phrases all through Scripture that I passed over before.
“For we are God’s masterpiece, he has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” –Ephesians2:10
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” –Jeremiah29:11
The sweet Shepherd’s Psalm 23 uses these phrases:
- He leads me
- He guides me along right paths
- You are close beside me
- Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
Why? Because He has a plan.
Once I got that, life makes a whole lot more sense. The troubles that come are part of the plan to prepare me for next. Not some cosmic cloud of bad luck following me around waiting for an opportunity to make me miserable! They are part of a plan… a good and wise plan from the Shepherd Who loves me.
But I still don’t know which shoes to wear.
Far as I am concerned…no plan is disaster. I have a real hard time with no plan…tend to waste time. I know one thing, I plan to have more time for my devotions in about 28 days…ha! Love you, girl!
Love you too Carolyn. Won’t be long now til you’re a lady of leisure and can sit on your new porch and read your Bible all day!
I am soooo with you Lynna….I need a plan! And it is just as simple as riding boots or flip flops, just let me know and I can work with that!
I need a Plan too – God shakes His head at me too often
Susie – Susie – wait for my Plan – Be still and know I am The God of all Plans
Enjoy your holiday weekend
Praying you are feeling better
God Bless
susie
Thanks Susie and Beth. Hope your plans include some fun over the week end too!
Blessings
Thank you for this great message and I also thank God for putting it into your heart to share exactly this, exactly today. God may not lean down and whisper in our ears, but as long as He tells someone to pass along a message…I’m always listening! Thank you again
Wow Caaren. Great encouragment today and much needed. Glad God prompted you to pass along a word to me too!
My plan came with a lot of ziz-zags! I just keep singing He leadeth me, he leadeth me…
Very very wise.
I like what Carol had to say too! I too need a plan and if I don’t have one, I usually don’t do anything! Which I guess could’ve been His plan too!?!?
Ask Stephanie about my lists sometime. Lists are our friends! =)