SWORD of the SPIRIT                                                                                            1013

“Recalculating”

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

I am a planner by nature. I set goals and I plan strategies and tactics to achieve them. I think things through and then I take action. Recalculating. Inevitably, something dynamic ‘upsets the apple cart’ and plans have to be reevaluated, adjusted, modified or replaced. That’s life. Change is the only constant. Get used to it.

One thing I learned in my management career is that plans are made – not to be filed away and forgotten – but rather to be a living, dynamic, malleable and actionable document to help us stay on track to achieve set goals.

There is one plan however, God’s plan, that is unchangeable and is the standard that should guide, mold and shape all of our plans. God’s plan is detailed for us in our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth book (BIBLE) and we should reference it on a continual basis.

Our work business plans should be guided and benchmarked against God’s plan. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

Our life plans for our family, education, finances, and careers should be guided by God’s perfect plan. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21) As we pray over our plans, committing our way to Him, seeking to follow Him, our spiritual ‘ears’ will hear His guiding voice.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)  Sometimes God’s voice will say, ‘Continue’ and at other times it will be ‘Recalculating’. Either way we should adjust our steps to align with God’s direction, trusting that His way is the best way.

My times are in your hand…; And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose; For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Psalm 31:15; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28)

We are at the stage now where my wife and I are empty nesters and my work career is winding down. My plans have taken on a ‘bucket list’ characteristic as I become more keenly aware of how short life in this body really is. 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”— 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. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that…” (James 4:13-16)

May the Lord give you the desires of your heart as He directs your steps. May you hear His voice clearly as He guides your heart and plans for your life. May all your goals in this life align with the ultimate goal of eternal life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.