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Got any plans? Sometimes I cringe a little if someone asks me this question. I may or may not have any plans, but I suppose I fear that if I say “no” I might be asked to do something I really don’t want to do. And if I say “yes”, I might be missing out on some great opportunity I was about to receive. Then again, the person asking the question might just be trying to be conversational.

Proverbs is filled with wisdom concerning plans. If we never make plans, we are probably what the good book calls a sluggard. And if we rush into something too quickly, we will often miss the mark. So, should we sit and wait for the Lord before we make any plans, or do we make plans and then ask the Lord to bless them? We’ve all done both of those things and have seen mixed results as the consequence of either.

In Proverbs 19:21, we learn that we may come up with all sorts of plans, but ultimately it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand in the end. I don’t know about you, but this sounds like really good news! For one, this means that we can’t mess up God’s purposes and plans. We may think everything depends on us, but everything depends on God. He is working his plan to renew and restore all that is broken, and our mistakes won’t keep him from accomplishing his perfect will.

But this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t dream, create, and make plans. In fact, the opposite is true. God created us in his image and part of that implies that we were given the privilege and the ability to create and make plans. What Proverbs is suggesting is that as we make plans, it is best to do so with advisement and knowledge.

Proverbs 19:2 reminds us that just having the desire isn’t enough. We need some knowledge of what we are doing to pull it off. As a college president for 20 years, I met many students who questioned their need for knowledge. Some thought that their passion for the Lord would carry them. Passion and desire help but when we combine desire with knowledge things have a better chance of success. And when we delve deeply into studying God’s word, we will more likely align with God’s will and his plans for us.

Proverbs 19:20 encourages us to listen to the advice of those who are wise. When we try and go it alone, we have a higher risk of failure. Listening to advisors who have experience and have walked with the Lord for some time will help us see things we would likely miss on our own.

Early in Proverbs, Solomon summed it up well: “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.”

Father, thank you for giving us the ability to dream and create. Today as we consider what you are calling us to do, we submit our plans to you. We trust you to lead us and guide us and use us for your purposes. Forgive us for the times we have acted quickly and failed to listen to you and to others you place in our lives.  Thank you for the promise that your purposes never fail.  We place our plans in your care today.  In Jesus name, amen.