5 Year Plan

“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month— or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (Matthew 6:30).
– Oswald Chambers

 

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

 

When I was in college I was asked often about my plan, you know the 5 or 10 year plan.  Let me be clear, I like to plan, I have a wife who is an event planner, and see the clear value in organization, but the quote and scripture above really made me stop and reflect.  Do we place our faith in the plan, instead of God?  We get so worked up and anxious about not having a 5 year plan that we can control, that we miss the work God is doing in our life?  Looking at the last few months of my life, I am blown away by the number of the moments of pure joy, or places I saw God do incredible things. They were never part of my “plan.”  In fact if you went back to me a few months ago and told me what was coming I would have never believed you.  But it was very clear that all these things were always part of God’s plan, even if I could not see them coming.

 

Jesus words in Matthew gave me perspective, Jesus calls for us to seek first the Kingdom of God.  Again let’s understand what Jesus is not saying, His call is not that we would live life flying by the seat of our pants without any sense of direction.  Instead I hear in Jesus words that plans and organization are good, but the work of the Holy Spirit needs to be greater.  That we need to be ready and able to move, adjust, and change direction at the drop of a hat when the Spirit leads.  To not have an “A-B-C-D= the place I want to go” plan is ok.  So often in scripture God merely gives us one step, asks us to take the one step with faith, and on the road to A, He reveals B, on the way to B He reveals C and so on.  And even better God’s leading from A-B-C-D always lands us at a place far greater than we could have ever imagined or dreamed of, if we will, “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,” and to set aside our need for control, and a black and white, clear as day plan for everything in our lives.

 

Pastor Bill