Written by: Angela Hansen
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” Proverbs 16:9.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6.
“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 4:13-15.
Best Laid Plans
The new year is right around the corner and if the last couple of years has taught us anything, it has taught us that life doesn’t always go the way we plan. This statement makes me cringe as I’m typing it and it’s a forever struggle for me who loves a good plan. Are you a planner? Do you set New Year’s resolutions or goals? Do you have a financial plan, travel plans, New Year’s Eve plans, plans for your day, dreams for your future? None of these in themselves are bad. Actually, the bible commends a good plan (sigh of relief). In Proverbs it says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). There are many passages in the bible that speak on living with wisdom and God wants us to be good stewards of the blessings (time, talent, treasures) that he’s given us. So, having a plan is good.
Until it’s not. Just like with anything that God has created (i.e. our ability to plan and look ahead), we can take a God given thing and turn it into an idol, trusting the created thing instead of the creator. When the plan becomes what I rely on, what brings me comfort, hope (or a sense of hope), security (or a sense of security), when it becomes a replacement for God, then it becomes not good. In the same book of Proverbs where the author says a plan is good, he also says to hold onto those plans loosely, reminding us that we might plan something, but ultimately God is in control (Proverbs 16:9). In the first chapter of James he tell us that “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). Then later in chapter 4 he reminds us that life is uncertain and it is the Lord’s will that allows us to do anything, not our own plans and wisdom (James 4:13-15)
So as the New Year begins, make plans, goals, and ask God for the wisdom that he promises. But then, trust God’s plans above your own. Rely on his grace and mercy to get through each day and be open to God directing your path and determining your steps. God promises to make our paths straight when we trust in him.
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