We all have plans. Some are big. Some are small. Some entail literally surviving one day–or hour, or minute–at a time. (Survival is still a plan.)
We also spend a lot of time thinking about our plans: tweaking them, admiring them, rewriting them, all sorts of things. In fact, one of the most beloved Bible verses is found in Jeremiah 29:11 which tells us that God has plans for us, good plans!
- Jeremiah 29:11 NIV: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.’”
But while we may quote this verse and hold it dear, let’s be honest: we hold tighter to our own plans and prefer that the good plan God has for us is exactly the plan we have for ourselves.
God spoke Jeremiah 29:11 for Israel through the prophet Jeremiah as he foretold the coming captivity that God was allowing to overtake Israel. They would be exiled for 70 years in Babylon because of their wickedness and idolatry, but God spoke this as a promise that in spite of it all, He would not forget them. Indeed, the following verses after verse 11 promise that He will bring them back from captivity. They were still His people, and He still loved them.
We too are God’s people, redeemed because of Jesus, and He loves us and wants good things for us. It’s not a bad thing to have our own plans, just so you know! God designed us to have purpose and meaning in our lives. The question we need to examine about ourselves is, are our plans actually idols? Have they taken the place of God in our lives, so much so that we are not open to any other way but our own? Idolatry was what got Israel in trouble over and over again, and why God allowed them to be exiled in the first place.
In order to avoid idolatry, we need some guidance and wisdom for our lives. The book of Proverbs is the book of wisdom, full of excellent advice for our lives. Proverbs has a few things to say about our plans:
- Proverbs 15:22 NIV: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
- Proverbs 16:3 NIV: “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
- Proverbs 16:9 NIV: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
These verses don’t say, “Don’t have plans;” rather, they leave room for us to remember who the Master Planner is. We should go to God for advice. We should take our plans to Him and talk to Him about them. Most of all, we should be open to His leading, His changes, and His timing.
God created you and me with purpose, for a purpose, and for good. He makes everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11), He works things together for good (Romans 8:28), and He loves giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11, James 1:17). When we take our plans to Him and let Him work to perfect them and activate them in His timing, we operate as we are designed to.
When we take our plans to God and live in a way where we are open to His leading and His edits, it’s easier to pivot and adjust when sudden changes come down the line. Make no mistake: sudden and unexpected changes WILL come. We can plan and hope and dream all we want, but if the way we want to go is not lining up with the way God has in store for us, we will face friction and upheaval as He works to adjust our course. Living open to God’s plan simply means we adjust easier when the winds of change blow. No, it does not automatically free us from emotional turmoil. But it can mean that no matter what happens, we can feel peace overarching the season of change even as we mourn what we are losing. One of those good gifts our good Father gives us is peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). We do not have to have all the answers, because that is His job, not ours.
Living open to God’s plan simply means we adjust easier when the winds of change blow.
Are you holding on too tightly to your plans today? Are you feeling miserable instead of walking in peace? It’s okay to have plans and desires, but if we take those to our heavenly Father, He will help refine them and grow them to exceed our small, earth-bound expectations. It takes courage to let go, but the rewards may blow your mind.
Choose courage and give Him your plans. I guarantee something beautiful will grow from that decision.
Blessings,
~Lynne
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