“My” Planning
When I think about the New Year I think and ponder all the things I want to do. And with all my planning and “vision” that I attempt to forecast for myself and my plans, God seems to refocus my attention. God gave me a pretty direct reminder that I am His.
This doesn’t mean that I can’t or shouldn’t plan because God has given us Freedom. Freedom was also my word from 2019, more on that later. Yet the Management (Stewardship) side of that is very different than what I attempt to do many times my way, in my own strength.
My Planning: Reflecting on Freedom
I set goals and make plans that no one else knows about. I rarely tell people and sometimes I leave God completely out of my planning process. This sucks to say as a follower of Chris but…. I don’t always pray about my goals or bring my desires to God.
This past year I reflect on the word Freedom and I realize God was calling me to that. He was calling me to freedom from all the unnecessary burdens I placed on myself.
You see, I am a goal-oriented/do-er/dreamer, etc. I try to do it all but not just all I imagine doing, but all of it simultaneously. Constantly spinning and splintering my focus from one plan to the next and from one goal to the next. Truthfully, I exhaust myself!
Sometimes my “goals” turn into “laws” that I lord over myself. Sheesh
My Planning: Wanting to do it all
From creative endeavors to home life being a Wife and Mom and learning all that I can in 50 different areas. When I look at it in my real-life context, I realize I am more burdened and haggard than free. If I’m honest with myself I tend to pursue goals without pursuing God.
All the goals that I set are not superficial, but I can’t say I even whisper them to God either.
Wanting to do it all at the same time in my own strength whilst (I love that word) learning and leaning on my understanding… Well, who does that profit?
Realizing all of this, my planning is not necessarily God’s plan. I way too often think about God after the fact. I seek Him after my efforts fail, but don’t look to him before I start toiling with my busy-ness.
My Planning: Following a New Plan
Last year I started reading one of my Favorite books in the Bible. Really quickly… my favorite books in the Word are Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Gospel of John. I encourage you to read them all! Read the entire bible. I mean Wisdom on Wisdom and so much more. God is Awesome!
One day I started a specific Plan to read Proverbs in a way I never had before.
On the way to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby with my Mom, I turned on the radio. It was Jan.2,2019. My Mom and I took off to grab some planners (ironic) and supplies for our respective Hobbies. She crochets and bakes. I love stationery, notebooks and own a handcrafted Jewelry Business. However, I still love making jewelry just for fun, I digress.
My Planning: Wisdom from Scripture
Whilst driving to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby I turned on the radio and one of my Favorite Pastors (besides my Pastor) Dr. David Jeremiah was on the radio. I always learn so much from his teaching! He knows his stuff but it’s so digestible. Side note, always fact-check for yourself when listening to anyone teaching the word of God with the word of God. Make sense?
Dr. David Jeremiah said when he was younger a mentor of his told him to read the book of Proverbs. Specifically, to read one chapter per day corresponding to the date. He pointed out that there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, one for each day give or take those that have fewer days.
Wisdom from Solomon
Honestly, I never considered it. Maybe I’m the only one.? King Solomon wrote most of this book and Ecclesiastes also. Scripture states that Solomon was “exceedingly wise.”
29”And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.34 And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.” – 1Kings 4:29,30,34
- Reference https://biblehub.com/esv/1_kings/4.htm
Since “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure” we should probably glean as much as possible from this book and all the other ones too. Just saying
The Eyes are Never Satisfied
The plan his mentor gave him was simple. Read a chapter corresponding to the date. When the Month is over start all over again. I did this very plan in 2019. I plan on doing it again in 2020. To be honest there were days that I just read even though I wanted to hop on Pinterest and scroll through some eye candy. That’s what I call all the beautiful things on that feed.
Do you ever notice you can just scroll and scroll and scroll?
Here’s a snippet of what Proverbs says about that:
“Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.” -Proverbs 27:20
I learn more about our human nature from Scripture than anyone can tell me!
Scripture literally says our eyes can’t get enough. So, the fact that we can endlessly scroll is built into the very design of our culture. It’s built into the technology itself, to keep us scrolling as long as possible and as much as possible.
We Can’t Blame Culture
We can’t blame “culture” though it is simply a mirror of the state of our minds, hearts, imagination, and desires.
Therefore, we shouldn’t be shocked that we can mindlessly and endlessly scroll and take in media and entertainment. We have a natural bend to consume with our eyes. We are “consumers” for sure!
We must be careful what we take in though. Because our eyes are very powerful/influential and affect our thought life. Our thought life in-turn influences our actions.
These same eyes can be used to take in the beauty God has placed all around us. We can gaze upon God in this way but let’s be honest it can be easier to gaze on what we want instead.
The Glory of God
But that’s the point…..we have to be trained in taking in the beauty and glory of God. The “world” is not going to encourage that! Culture is not going to encourage you to focus on the awe of God either.
We will always be encouraged to buy and take in what we don’t need.
God calls us to ALL that we need…..In Him. So, I challenge you (Me) to put on the spiritual glasses of God’s word so we can behold and look at the Splendor of Him!
So, let me use this avenue of “media” and the inter-webs to Encourage you to fill up on, and be filled with God. To have a relationship with Jesus Christ and it is something you must put the work in for yourself. I must put the work in for. What we feed grows.
Planning with Perspective
Being entertained and consuming media is not bad in itself. The point here is to make plans centered on God and not to mindlessly and endlessly take in influences that drown God out.
This year I Encourage you and Me to make plans with God at the Center of them. Actually, asking God to lead you and your plans is my first step. My goals being made secondary to speaking to Him first.
I’m reminded in the bible that He will give us everything we need to live a godly life and set Godly goals too. We don’t have to do that in our own strength.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us toc his own glory and excellence,d 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” – 2Peter 1:3-4
*Reference: https://biblehub.com/esv/2_peter/1.htm
Focus
I’ve included the Scriptures about Planning that I will personally be meditating on. My hope is that these Scriptures from the word of God will encourage you to take your plans to God and not reach for God-less goals. Let’s hold our plans up to the lens of God’s holy word and measure them against what He says. Seeking Him first and allowing him to lead us.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
| “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3 | “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 |
| “The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.” – Proverbs 16:1 | “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty” – Proverbs 21:5 |
| “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.” – Proverbs 19:21 | “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” –Psalms 127:1 |
| “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” –Psalms 127:2 | “The sensible person’s wisdom is to consider his way, but the stupidity of fools deceives them.” – Proverbs 14:8 CSB |
All Scriptures referenced are from the ESV, English Standard Version unless stated otherwise.
Reference: https://biblehub.com/
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