(NIV)James 4:13-17I have never done this kind of thing before, so please, bear with me as I ramble on a bit about this passage. For those that know me in a working/professional way, I've always been one to plan my vacation times out to the 'nth degree. I not only plan, but I plan well in advance. Usually by the end of December each year, I have always known when I would go on vacation, where I would be going, and what I would be doing each day of each vacation I plan. I guess for some of you, this is something that's just incomprehesible. For me, it's just the way I have to do things. I tell myself it's so that I will save my money and be careful enough to be able to make the plans happen. In actuality, it's just that I think I have to be in control of everything.
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
If I read this passage correctly, then what I see is that planning is ok, but we have to plan with the Lord's will in mind. I rarely did that, except in passing or as a "prayer" that the right hotel would be open, or the right campsite would be available. These prayers were just selfish ways for me to get God to put his "stamp of approval" on my plans. I'm here to tell you that is just not how God works! He wants us to bring our plans to Him, and willingly give them up, give up control to Him. If we can do that, then, whatever plans we have are not really our plans, but they are God's plans for our lives. Take that a step further, if we do that, then we should earnestly look for opportunities to serve Him as we live out God's plans for even our vacation time. In doing this, He will make that time even more re-creating than we could ever imagine!
I learned all of this the hard way, seems the only way I know how to learn. In December of 2009, I went about my usual ritual of planning my vacations for all of 2010. I had big plans for a road trip for my birthday, a trip to England to visit friends and see the sights, and my annual camping trip to Donner Lake. It was all set, and the money was even all there for a change. Then, January 27, 2010, everything changed. I was layed off from my job. Wow, talk about an eye-opening, heart changing event!
It's been a long year and a quarter, and God is still working, but what I see is the truth in this scripture. There's nothing wrong with making plans, just before you set them in stone, or, as a college professor used to say, set them down in the laws of the Medes and the Persians that cannot be revoked, bring them to God, say to Him, if it's your will, I would like to do live and do this or that. Once God reveals to you His will, then whatever plans that are made will succeed.
Isn't it time that we all begin to not just ask God to bless our plans, and pray that we get this or that, but that we seek his face before, during, and after the planning? I know for me, that's what He's calling me to do.
Thanks for putting up with my rambling. May God plan your day, and bless you as you live for Him!
