Planning For Success

I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

Jeremiah 10:23

In business you hear a lot about planning. At the beginning of every year most businesses and personal establish their forecasted plan for the year. Corporations establish plans that cover anywhere from one to five years. Individuals establish personal life plans.

There is only one problem that seems to come with most planning done by well-meaning believers: if God is not the originator and director of the plan, then that plan is doomed for failure.

So often, believers set out to plan something that seems good in their own mind. The merits of what is being planned can look great, and it can even be a worthy endeavor. However, that is not the point. When Jesus said He came only to do the will of the Father, He could not consider doing anything that was not what the Father wanted, no matter how good or righteous it might appear to be.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9).

God must give us the vision for what He calls us to do. After we have the vision, we must ask Him if He wants us to take action on that vision and what the action steps entail. The Lord wants to direct each step of the planning process.

David learned this lesson when he went to battle against his enemy, the Philistines. One day he inquired of God as to whether he was to go up against the Philistines, and the Lord said, "Yes, but only when you hear the marching in the balsam trees." It is a mistake to reason and analyze in order to come to a decision on a matter, when God has addressed the matter fully as how to proceed.

The Lord already knows the answer and it is our responsibility to seek Him to find out His mind on the matter. Our planning must be established in Him. Only when we remain so connected to the source can we be assured of putting God's plan into place. Also, getting that plan confirmed through others will assure that we are not following the deceit of our own heart.

As we plan we need to ask God for His wisdom for establishing the vision and action steps that we must take.