Does it vary depending on the day? Is this a positive … or a negative mindset/behavior? Is it in cement… or does the plan provide a structure that indicates necessary ‘to do’s’ but allows for additions? How do you determine your today’s priorities? If you enter your day with little thought, then at the end of the day how do you feel and think about what’s happened in your day?
What does this have to do with anything!?! Let’s look at scripture:
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jeremiah 29:11, MSG)
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.” (Luke 14: 28-32, NKJV)
Taking scripture out of context? These scriptures represent differing approaches to the subject of ‘plan’. What has any of this to do with you? The answer to the first of your questions is ‘no’, not out of context – it indicates the Lord’s intent for us in our day… and future. Plans are important. They given us the framework in which to ‘operate’ in our day and to make certain that the important and essential is not lost.
The answer to the second question is ‘yes’. This demonstrates the overriding principle of ‘plans’. If we don’t seek the Lord in our day so that we focus on the essential and/or if we don’t consider the various options available and which is the best approach, then how do we assess our ‘success’, accomplishment? Plans
are our maps, our shortest distance to the goal – the structure. However, these can always be changed, altered, etc. but not if there aren’t any plans to start with.
The answer to the third question is one only you can answer. No one can force you to make your plans in your day. However, you are subject to the vagaries of the day if you have no foundation or structure from which to act. People who automatically respond with their life is spontaneous and not planned don’t really understand their possibilities. Serendipitous can occur in any situation and always becomes an option.
There are over 17 verses that speak to the issue of ‘plans’: (ESV)
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3)
“May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!” (Psalm 20:4)
“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
The point is, plans enhance and not detract.
