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“There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel [plan] against the LORD.”
Proverbs 21:30
In Luke 14:28-33, Jesus used the example of builders and Kings who should consider if they have made sufficient plans before building or battling to remind Christians of counting the cost of discipleship. So, whether we are building ministries and businesses or battling the “enemies” in our lives, we are to make proper plans—but not necessarily precise plans.
Early in my ministry, I spent so much time planning for the year ahead, budgeting, and goal-committing—but the years, and of course, the Lord, have shown me that such precise planning can be a waste of time.
Some precise planning helped, but things never happened, just as we laid them out. We planned so many projects, initiatives, ministries, and forecasts that many of our revenue-producing projects were put on hold for weeks. And, of course, the delay made it much harder to achieve the goals we’d spent so much time setting!
Budgeting is necessary—we are, of course, to count the cost before doing the work. But just when we think the future is in hand, the Lord reminds us He’s the one in control. Life changes, the things we can’t control happen, and people come and go.
When plans seem perfect, or our vision casts an exciting future, we must hold onto them loosely. God’s authority and power overshadow them: “The LORD brings the counsel [plans] of the nations to nothing;” (Ps 33:10)
God is mysterious indeed. He wants us to plan, yet He changes those plans. “A man’s steps are of the Lord. How then can a man understand his own way?” (Pr. 20:24)
Wise leadership accepts the mystery.
Considering God’s higher plans, what are we to do? We pray for His will to be revealed, conform to His will, inspire our thinking, and direct our steps.
Sometimes, He confirms His guidance with striking clarity: “And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” (Gen 41:32)
God affirms His direction.
I read about a person who leads a vibrant ministry, but He has also suffered a lot (including the early death of his beloved wife, who was also his ministry partner).
He shared that during a strategy meeting, he didn’t have the fire as he did ten years ago about growing the ministry and launching new projects. These days, he leads with more of an open hand, grabbing what God brings his way. He waits for confirmation and doesn’t overreact to redirection.
I was humbled as I thought about my work for God—how much is personal ambition versus divine direction? It is a hard one to answer.
Lord, hold my hand open and fill it with the fruit of your plan.
“By this, My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” (John 15:8)
Is your leadership fretful or fruitful because of proper planning or precise planning?
