Plan Of Action! (part 1 of 2)

Our calendars and schedules are marked by things to come. Because of so many activities that busy our lives there is the need for planning. On the desk in front of me is my opened day planner, on the wall behind me is a calendar for the year on which are marked events and meetings to be kept in mind, and attached to my belt is an electronic planner that I can consult wherever I am when something else needs to be scheduled. Does this mean I have control of time? Do I believe with certainty I will be present at all of the appointments that dot my calendar?

As in the case with the disciples ( Acts 1:6-7) there are some things of which we do not know the time, but they will occur according to the authority fixed by our Heavenly Father. Just as the coming of the Lord into this world was in accordance with God’s timetable ( Galatians 4:4), so will be His return. ( Matthew 24:36-37) God has a plan. So what of our plans?

James exhorted. . .
“(13) 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’ -- (14) 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. (15) Instead you ought to say, ‘IF THE LORD WILLS, we will live and do this or that.’ (16) As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” ( James 4:13-16 ESV)

Periodically I print out my calendar for my wife so that she knows what is on my schedule. If my wife and I plan activities apart from considering each other’s plans, the result is conflict. That is also the result when we have not kept GOD’S WILL in the picture. HIS WILL must be kept in mind as we mark our plans on the calendar because in reality it is only the moment in which we are living of which we can truly be assured. Leaving God out of the picture is where the serious error (note also Luke 12:16-21) occurs. We do not know all that may come with tomorrow; should God even provide it! However, does that rule out all planning? No! James stated the plans of tomorrow are to be looked toward with the understanding they will be contingent on whether “THE LORD WILLS” for those opportunities and plans to take place.

Solomon stated. . .
“(21) Many are the plans in the mind of a man, BUT IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD THAT WILL STAND” ( Proverbs 19:21 ESV)

Without planning, our life will lack some needed direction. Life merely lived haphazardly or by chance usually does not lend toward much substance of activity. Perhaps you are focused on the goal of graduating, or a specific summer job, or a future career, or even what retirement might be like. “IF THE LORD WILLS, we will live and do this or that”, but let us also consider the “plan of action” for the day we now have from the Lord. Lord Willing we will consider that further tomorrow.

Have a great day KEEPING GOD IN LIFE’S STRAGETIC PLANNING!
Carl

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