One of the things I’m working on this year is to identify the areas where God wants me to focus my energy, time, talent, and treasure. I want to help and fulfill the calling of God in my life but sometimes there is so much to do, so much need wherever we go, that it is difficult to focus on one or two key areas. I have spent a lot of time in prayer seeking God to help me choose. There will be doors of opportunity that open up but it’s not the right time to go through them. They are not wrong, but the timing is simply not right yet. There will be other doors that will open that are not right for us to go through. Yet there are other doors that will open up that are both right for us and it is the right time for us to pursue. Having the discernment to choose is crucial to doing the will of God in our lives. Having peace in our hearts is one of the key indicators to choose the right path.
In the meantime, however, we should continue to plan and go with our hearts then we let God take control of our plans. I always plan and ask God to change things according to what He wants for me and for the work of His Kingdom. Today I want to share this devotional with you about planning your future from my book, Devotions for Working Women. We should not be afraid of planning but we should always be willing to make changes and go with God’s flow. We need to be at His disposal and do His work even when we feel we may be out of our element or feel inadequate. Enjoy!
Don’t Be Afraid to Plan
# 343
Proverbs 3:21-22 (NLT)
My child, don’t lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you honor and respect.
Many Christians nowadays don’t plan for the future, thinking Jesus is coming soon. They view planning and preparing as lack of faith. But that mind-set is not wise. We are to live our lives as if Jesus is coming today, spiritually speaking. Until He comes, we are to occupy, multiply, have dominium of, and steward God’s creation. The Bible says to not lose sight of good planning and insight, for they will fill us with life. When we don’t plan, we are choosing to let things happen in our lives and lose control. We are to plan good plans with God’s wisdom and guidance. Lack of planning brings uncertainty and fear. Planning brings peace, certainty, security, honor, and respect.
If you are a planner, those who watch you will see you as a wise person. Then you’ll have an opportunity to share your wisdom and where it comes from. Proverbs 2:11 (NLT) says, “Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” “You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams” (Proverbs 3:24 NLT).
By planning all aspects of your life, you take control of your life and responsibility for your actions. But it also means you choose to give that control to God and let Him guide you. With God as part of your planning, you can’t go wrong because you have God’s will for you as your plan. And even though the enemy may try to change and confuse those plans, the Lord will give you wisdom “and you will know how to find the right course of action every time” (Proverbs 2:9 NLT).
Don’t be afraid to plan. Ask God for the wisdom to help you. Plan your life with the main purpose of bringing glory to Him.