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“Not Fickle -- Just Moldable”

Thoughts for Today:

The dictionary defines the word "plan" as: "a system for achieving an objective; or something that somebody intends or has arranged to do." We know God is the ultimate master planner because from the beginning He did not allow the world to randomly evolve -- He had a plan. For example, Genesis 1:26: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"

We are created in God's image, so we too have a responsibility to plan. How should we go about planning? Many people begin with Proverbs 16:3: "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." They interpret this verse to mean that we should plan something, and then ask God to bless it. However, this thought process is a little off the mark. In Amos 8:1-2, we find the Lord showing the prophet Amos a basket full of ripe fruit. He then asked, "What do you see?" I think this gives us great insight into how God wants us to begin our planning. We are to first look at the world through our own eyes (with an understanding that it is a limited perspective), and then allow the Lord to inspire us with His purpose. (Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in a person?s heart, but it is the Lord?s purpose that prevails.") That's how we discover the Lord's plan -- by letting Him sort through all the ones running around in our head to find just the right one. However, that's not to mean everything will be perfect and always work out according to plan. We have to remain flexible.

In our passage today, it might have been Paul's plan and desire to return to Corinth, but he was delayed. His enemies were using it as an indication of undependability -- proof his word could not be trusted. Yet, Paul didn't doubt his plan. Why? Because he knew it came from God ("Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no?"). In other words, he wasn't being fickle, just moldable and adjustable to the Lord's will. It's a great lesson and example for all of us.

Questions to Ponder:

All too often, we make a plan without first consulting the Lord, refuse to deviate from it in any way, and then wonder why things didn't quite work out. Or conversely, receive the beginnings of a plan from the Lord -- and then change or ignore it before we've even finished writing it down. Some people don't even bother with any plan whatsoever. They just let life happen. The Lord has a lot to say about planning. Are you paying attention? How will you apply His principles to your life plan?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.