Proper planning is essential for success in life. Many of us are familiar with the adage, if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. When you’re involved in a large project, then you know the necessity of detailed planning. Throughout the book of Proverbs we see an emphasis on the importance of planning,

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

Solomon, who wrote many proverbs, revealed how your plans may be established. It is essential to plan, but you must realize there may be circumstances beyond your control. Solomon revealed the dynamic interplay between our planning and God’s sovereignty,

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:1)

If the reader missed this concept, Solomon repeated the idea several verses later,

The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Planning is important, but you must remember to hold your plans with an open hand. It’s comforting to know that God is directing our steps. The events of your life are not simply the outcome of chance, but they are under the authority of an omniscient and benevolent God who loves you and cares for you.

God knows your future and nothing happens to you without His knowledge. If you yield yourself to His guidance, He will not only direct your  steps, but He will direct them so as to further your well-being. The Christians in the nascent church at Rome were facing some difficult challenges and the apostle Paul encouraged them with these words,

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The stoic philosopher, Epictetus, was born about the same time that Paul wrote his letter to the church at Rome. A major tenet of Epictetus’  teaching was the concept of amor fati (lover of fate). Amor fati is the attitude that everything that happens in your life is for a purpose. The Christian faith goes one step further and realizes that a loving and sovereign God is the one who is directing their steps.

The knowledge that God is directing your steps does not discount the necessity of planning on your part – you are responsible. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark. Many times we discover that the process of planning seems to be more valuable than the plans we develop. Helmuth van Moltke, the nineteenth-century Prussian military commander, discovered, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.”

How do you respond when your plans go awry? Do you have a greater commitment to your plans or are you open to God’s redirection? When you realize that God has your best interests in mind, it enables you to follow Him.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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