(? no tear sheet)
Joe’s wife handed him his Saturday to-do list. He was anxious to move on to other things so yipped in delight to see only one chore: fix a dripping kitchen tap.
When Joe looked under the sink, his smile turned to a frown. The line did not have a shut-off valve. He had to turn the water off. Joe headed to the basement, mentally adding a few more minutes taken from his leisure time. When he tried to turn the valve on the line for the kitchen sink, it would not budge. Not wanting to stress the joints and cause a leak, he decided he should turn off the main water valve. His frown became frustration when he found it was also seized.
Joe’s house was old. If he put muscle to his pipe wrench, he might make even more work for himself. So he called the city. They said they would come out and turn off the main in the street. When they got there, the valve was buried under two feet of landscaping. By the time Joe finished fixing the tap and the mess from digging for the main, it was almost dark. He was not amused when his wife said, “I guess life is what happens when you are planning something else.”
I can sympathize with Joe. Some days turn out like that. A simple chore becomes complex, or the telephone rings all day, or ninety-three email messages turn up in my in-box. Whatever the detour, all plans somehow fall by the wayside. Since tomorrow is another day (with another ninety-three messages), today’s plans may never be fulfilled. As frustrating as this scenario can be, there are some guidelines from God that do help.
First, we do not know the future. James 4:13-14 says, “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 . . . .” It helps to remember that our plans are always tentative.
Second, remember our place in the grand scheme of things. James 4 goes on: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Knowing and controlling events is an ambitious undertaking for mere mortals. God challenges us when we think we can do it. He is the only one who can see both the end and the beginning at the same time. It helps to remember that too.
Third, because these two things are true, we ought to consider God in our plans. James 4 continues: “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” While God does not move our lives around like chess pieces, He is sovereign. If He wants something, we cannot fight it. If He does not, no amount of our scheming will make it happen. By not fighting God, we become more flexible.
Fourth, taking control without considering God is sin. “As it is, you boast and brag (about what you plan to do). All such boasting is evil.” In the context of this verse, James repeatedly reminds us that we are not God. We cannot make things go the way we want them to go or even say we will do a certain thing without considering that He has the final say. By that, our plans become less rigid.
Fifth but most important, planning to do good is always safe. James finishes: “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” This negative warning implies that our plans made without God can be selfishly motivated, even evil. When we consider God, the selfish element is brought to light. If we ask Him, He will give us something good to do, even good that can be included in our current plan.
Circumstances might prevent us from carrying out the plans we make, but if our hearts are motivated in a way that pleases God, we will not be upset with the unexpected.
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Monday, November 6, 2017
Friday, July 3, 2015
Making Plans .............. Parables 295
November 26, 1991
Last week’s mail brought a new catalog full of planning calendars designed especially for people with so many business appointments and activities they cannot keep track of them any other way. For a fee, one day, one week, or one month can be seen at a glance or at the turn of a page.
Personally, I find these calendars terrific for a homemaker-student-writer too. No matter how little or how much is on my agenda, it is far easier to remember if it is written in my book instead of stored somewhere in my brain. Besides, if most of my “plan-to” items are not committed to paper but merely left to good intentions, they somehow never get accomplished. Planning to do them – and writing down the plan – makes the thing somewhat more certain.
However, the Bible has a thing or two to say about planning. One statement goes something like this: “Hey, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit,’ don’t you realize you have no idea what will happen tomorrow...?’”
James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote that. Was he suggesting that Christians should never make any plans? After all, if we have no idea what tomorrow will bring, why plan?
If that is what James means, I’m in trouble. One of my college classes is Principles of Administration and I have a major assignment due next week. It requires that I make a Five-Year Plan for my life. I must use a chart of some sort, base it on a purpose statement, outline various objectives, add goals for reaching those objectives, and include standards by which I can measure whether or not the plan is carried out. This assignment is a challenge. I have spent the past year essentially living one day at a time. Now I MUST think ahead, and in detail.
First, I need to settle the issue James raises about planning. The rest of the passage says “our lives are like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away,” like a puff of smoke. In other words, most of us are relatively insignificant in the overall scheme of things, at least as far as our own plans go. I might go somewhere, buy, sell, and make a profit, but when measured by God in light of eternity, plans that are designed to profit only me are really not very important – at least not for long and not to anyone else but me.
James then adds; “Instead (of making your own plans) you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”
James is not putting down buying, selling, or make a profit... he is just pointing out that if God says to do otherwise, we are foolish to make such plans. He says ignoring His will in favor of our own is “boasting in arrogance and all such boasting is evil” (verse 16).
So what can I include in my five-year plan that will not put me out of the will of God? James gives a final clue in verse 17: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
James says acts of goodness must be included in the plan. I already know WHY they must be planned: unless I think ahead and prepare to do unselfish things for others, my schedule will rapidly fill up with activity designed for me, for my profit only. Unselfish goodness is left out, also vanishing like a puff of smoke.
So my professor in Principles of Administration is wise. He did not misinterpret James. Instead, he has thought of a way to help those who take his class to make the first step towards godly living – planning it in advance.
Last week’s mail brought a new catalog full of planning calendars designed especially for people with so many business appointments and activities they cannot keep track of them any other way. For a fee, one day, one week, or one month can be seen at a glance or at the turn of a page.
Personally, I find these calendars terrific for a homemaker-student-writer too. No matter how little or how much is on my agenda, it is far easier to remember if it is written in my book instead of stored somewhere in my brain. Besides, if most of my “plan-to” items are not committed to paper but merely left to good intentions, they somehow never get accomplished. Planning to do them – and writing down the plan – makes the thing somewhat more certain.
However, the Bible has a thing or two to say about planning. One statement goes something like this: “Hey, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit,’ don’t you realize you have no idea what will happen tomorrow...?’”
James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote that. Was he suggesting that Christians should never make any plans? After all, if we have no idea what tomorrow will bring, why plan?
If that is what James means, I’m in trouble. One of my college classes is Principles of Administration and I have a major assignment due next week. It requires that I make a Five-Year Plan for my life. I must use a chart of some sort, base it on a purpose statement, outline various objectives, add goals for reaching those objectives, and include standards by which I can measure whether or not the plan is carried out. This assignment is a challenge. I have spent the past year essentially living one day at a time. Now I MUST think ahead, and in detail.
First, I need to settle the issue James raises about planning. The rest of the passage says “our lives are like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away,” like a puff of smoke. In other words, most of us are relatively insignificant in the overall scheme of things, at least as far as our own plans go. I might go somewhere, buy, sell, and make a profit, but when measured by God in light of eternity, plans that are designed to profit only me are really not very important – at least not for long and not to anyone else but me.
James then adds; “Instead (of making your own plans) you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”
James is not putting down buying, selling, or make a profit... he is just pointing out that if God says to do otherwise, we are foolish to make such plans. He says ignoring His will in favor of our own is “boasting in arrogance and all such boasting is evil” (verse 16).
So what can I include in my five-year plan that will not put me out of the will of God? James gives a final clue in verse 17: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”
James says acts of goodness must be included in the plan. I already know WHY they must be planned: unless I think ahead and prepare to do unselfish things for others, my schedule will rapidly fill up with activity designed for me, for my profit only. Unselfish goodness is left out, also vanishing like a puff of smoke.
So my professor in Principles of Administration is wise. He did not misinterpret James. Instead, he has thought of a way to help those who take his class to make the first step towards godly living – planning it in advance.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Preparing for Change ................. Parables 216
(May 9, 1990)
In the past month, my husband’s favorite Bible verse: “A man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps,” again proved itself true.
Our plans included staying put. After moving all over the place and back to Fort Saskatchewan four times, we have become comfortable here, enjoying what we thought was goodbye to packing and relocating. However, my husband was offered a short term assignment a few weeks ago... so after praying for wisdom, we made a major decision. Soon we leave our home and most of its contents to live in furnished accommodations in another province for a couple of years.
Now that everything is coming together, I can tell the story with anticipation, however when the proposal first hit us, it was akin to being hit by a train. We didn’t like it. We didn’t want to go anywhere. I went through all five stages of grief in about two hours. Finally, after choosing to accept the opportunity, we found ourselves able to effectively weigh both the positives and the not-so-positives.
This spells a radical change in lifestyle. Up front, it attacks our comfort zone. My husband will take a position of responsibility that is not unlike his past experience -- but there are some significant differences. The location and the time frame will enable me to fulfill a 15 year dream -- going to Bible College, so I will be studying full-time. However we can come home at least every long weekend, and move back when the project is complete. The challenge of the thing is now exciting.
Major decisions certainly involve emotional upheaval. I can remember a far greater choice I had to make -- when I was confronted with the claims of Christ. Saying yes to Him also implied a change of direction, destination and lifestyle and, up front, all of those were a threat to my comfort zone.
However, after the decision was made, I was able to look more objectively at the positives and even the few not-so-positives. Saying yes to Christ meant I would enjoy freedom from guilt, peace with God, and a multitude of blessings promised to those who put their faith in Him. Certainly the greatest benefit of all was the change regarding my destination. From the point of that decision on, He promised assurance of eternal life with God, rather than separation from Him in everlasting judgment.
That was certainly no small decision either. As one person said, it is not a simple matter to turn your life over to the control of someone else. In fact, I could not have done it unless the Lord had revealed Himself to be loving in His motives, wise in His dealings, and totally reliable in His Sovereign authority. Once He is seen to be all of that, and more, the decision is much easier.
Regarding salvation, He opened my eyes to see Him as righteous in all that He does, so I could choose Christ, and joyfully settle into the new lifestyle He gives, anticipating the end result of that choice. Regarding our decision to relocate, we realize since we put our trust in Christ, He has never led us foolishly or with evil intent. Whatever the future holds, we can trust Him with it. He has proven Himself with our past.
As we put the emotion of the decision behind us and prepare for the changes that will come as a result of our choice, we think of all He has done to help us overcome the fear of the unknown and walk ahead with Him. We know that even should His plans change our plans, the way He wants us to go will be for His glory and our good. He will not fail to give us direction, strength and encouragement, even in moves and changes. Best of all, no matter what else happens, the ultimate outcome, eternity with Him, will remain secure.
In the past month, my husband’s favorite Bible verse: “A man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps,” again proved itself true.
Our plans included staying put. After moving all over the place and back to Fort Saskatchewan four times, we have become comfortable here, enjoying what we thought was goodbye to packing and relocating. However, my husband was offered a short term assignment a few weeks ago... so after praying for wisdom, we made a major decision. Soon we leave our home and most of its contents to live in furnished accommodations in another province for a couple of years.
Now that everything is coming together, I can tell the story with anticipation, however when the proposal first hit us, it was akin to being hit by a train. We didn’t like it. We didn’t want to go anywhere. I went through all five stages of grief in about two hours. Finally, after choosing to accept the opportunity, we found ourselves able to effectively weigh both the positives and the not-so-positives.
This spells a radical change in lifestyle. Up front, it attacks our comfort zone. My husband will take a position of responsibility that is not unlike his past experience -- but there are some significant differences. The location and the time frame will enable me to fulfill a 15 year dream -- going to Bible College, so I will be studying full-time. However we can come home at least every long weekend, and move back when the project is complete. The challenge of the thing is now exciting.
Major decisions certainly involve emotional upheaval. I can remember a far greater choice I had to make -- when I was confronted with the claims of Christ. Saying yes to Him also implied a change of direction, destination and lifestyle and, up front, all of those were a threat to my comfort zone.
However, after the decision was made, I was able to look more objectively at the positives and even the few not-so-positives. Saying yes to Christ meant I would enjoy freedom from guilt, peace with God, and a multitude of blessings promised to those who put their faith in Him. Certainly the greatest benefit of all was the change regarding my destination. From the point of that decision on, He promised assurance of eternal life with God, rather than separation from Him in everlasting judgment.
That was certainly no small decision either. As one person said, it is not a simple matter to turn your life over to the control of someone else. In fact, I could not have done it unless the Lord had revealed Himself to be loving in His motives, wise in His dealings, and totally reliable in His Sovereign authority. Once He is seen to be all of that, and more, the decision is much easier.
Regarding salvation, He opened my eyes to see Him as righteous in all that He does, so I could choose Christ, and joyfully settle into the new lifestyle He gives, anticipating the end result of that choice. Regarding our decision to relocate, we realize since we put our trust in Christ, He has never led us foolishly or with evil intent. Whatever the future holds, we can trust Him with it. He has proven Himself with our past.
As we put the emotion of the decision behind us and prepare for the changes that will come as a result of our choice, we think of all He has done to help us overcome the fear of the unknown and walk ahead with Him. We know that even should His plans change our plans, the way He wants us to go will be for His glory and our good. He will not fail to give us direction, strength and encouragement, even in moves and changes. Best of all, no matter what else happens, the ultimate outcome, eternity with Him, will remain secure.
Monday, March 31, 2014
My plan or God's? .................... Parables 099
“This week is going to be different. I am going to set some goals and get something done...”
And from that point on, the whole world seems to go haywire: interruptions, unexpected circumstances, pressures, choices; together they carve out a big chunk from well-laid plans and nothing happens according to what was hoped. What was your week like. Plodding along or never a dull moment? If it was like mine, you might wonder if planning has any value at all!
But the unexpected is not unusual -- it is part of life. We try to get a handle on management of it and sometimes do, but most of the time the unexpected is to be expected. Some thrive on it but many people do not like changes because, unless we can comfortably keep our heads stuck in the sand, change forces us to change.
One favorite verse concerning circumstances is Romans 8:28: “God works all things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose...”
Those who know this promise cling to it when life turns upside-down yet the thoughtful reader should go on to the next verse which states just exactly what God has in mind when He says that He “works all things for good” in a Christian’s life. Verse 29 says “... for those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son...”
“All things” are purposed by God for change... change from what we are like to what He is like -- and that is very good! That makes change not merely vital to our Christian experience but it is our destiny. (See I John 3:1-3).
Once a great sculptor began work on a huge piece of marble, intending to carve a magnificent horse. When asked how he knew what to carve from the piece and what to leave, he said, “That’s easy. I just take off everything that doesn’t look like a horse.”
And that is just what God is doing in the lives of those who love Him -- carving away everything that is not like Jesus Christ... using, along with His Word, all events of life like a chisel to carve and conform us. he intends to remove chucks of selfishness, pride, and rebellion, breaking them away and leaving the pure beauty of the living Christ for all to see.
Why does it work? Simply because each trial, each pressure-situation, calls from us a response. Will it be the typical human one of resistance to change, resentment and bitterness? Or will it be in obedience to the One who lives within us and desires to make Himself visible in all we say and do? When I make plans and they are changed by circumstances outside of my control, it is not always easy to remember the purposes God has in “all things.” But when I think about this promise and cooperate with the Master sculptor, the pain of change changes to the excitement of a transformed life. His promise concerning what He will do if I yield to His sculpting tool becomes a far better plan than those of my own making.
It is not that prayerful planning and time-management are a waste; neither is taking time to attend to interruptions. What is wasteful is failing to yield to the hand of God, the Sovereign Sculptor of my destiny.
And from that point on, the whole world seems to go haywire: interruptions, unexpected circumstances, pressures, choices; together they carve out a big chunk from well-laid plans and nothing happens according to what was hoped. What was your week like. Plodding along or never a dull moment? If it was like mine, you might wonder if planning has any value at all!
But the unexpected is not unusual -- it is part of life. We try to get a handle on management of it and sometimes do, but most of the time the unexpected is to be expected. Some thrive on it but many people do not like changes because, unless we can comfortably keep our heads stuck in the sand, change forces us to change.
One favorite verse concerning circumstances is Romans 8:28: “God works all things together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose...”
Those who know this promise cling to it when life turns upside-down yet the thoughtful reader should go on to the next verse which states just exactly what God has in mind when He says that He “works all things for good” in a Christian’s life. Verse 29 says “... for those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son...”
“All things” are purposed by God for change... change from what we are like to what He is like -- and that is very good! That makes change not merely vital to our Christian experience but it is our destiny. (See I John 3:1-3).
Once a great sculptor began work on a huge piece of marble, intending to carve a magnificent horse. When asked how he knew what to carve from the piece and what to leave, he said, “That’s easy. I just take off everything that doesn’t look like a horse.”
And that is just what God is doing in the lives of those who love Him -- carving away everything that is not like Jesus Christ... using, along with His Word, all events of life like a chisel to carve and conform us. he intends to remove chucks of selfishness, pride, and rebellion, breaking them away and leaving the pure beauty of the living Christ for all to see.
Why does it work? Simply because each trial, each pressure-situation, calls from us a response. Will it be the typical human one of resistance to change, resentment and bitterness? Or will it be in obedience to the One who lives within us and desires to make Himself visible in all we say and do? When I make plans and they are changed by circumstances outside of my control, it is not always easy to remember the purposes God has in “all things.” But when I think about this promise and cooperate with the Master sculptor, the pain of change changes to the excitement of a transformed life. His promise concerning what He will do if I yield to His sculpting tool becomes a far better plan than those of my own making.
It is not that prayerful planning and time-management are a waste; neither is taking time to attend to interruptions. What is wasteful is failing to yield to the hand of God, the Sovereign Sculptor of my destiny.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Sunday drivers ............................. Parables 056
Springtime seems to bring out that phenomena known as “the Sunday Driver.” My father uses those words to describe drivers who do not appear to know where they are going, or why, or even how to get there. They look at all the roadside “sights” and seem to be oblivious to the rest of the traffic.
Actually, “Sunday drivers” seldom break any traffic laws. They get the most criticism for bringing out the worst in other drivers!
The highway of life has its “Sunday drivers” too. Many people live just like they drive their cars. For instance:
NO SET DESTINATION: Some people have no plans and goals for life, no firm convictions about where they are going or why they are even on the road. So they drift through this life, thinking that whatever sights they see along the route are the only purpose for taking the trip.
NO PLAN OF TRAVEL: With no destination in mind, the “Sunday drivers” cannot possibly plan a route. Instead, decisions are made according to things like the bumps in the road, whims or moods, the weather, or the scenery. With no goal, and no plan to reach that goal, choices are made by the “eenie-meany” method, or by whatever looks good at the time.
NO PLAN CONCERNING THE STOPS TO MAKE ALONG THE WAY: “Sunday drivers” often think that whatever comes along is all there is to see or be involved in. Their needs are met in a hit and miss fashion, according to what is the most convenient. They often miss life’s best, either because they do not know it is there, or they do not purposely determine to include it in their plans.
OBLIVIOUS TO OTHERS: “Sunday drivers” ignore fellow-travelers. They miss the help that the more experienced could give them and are oblivious to others who may need their help.
Is a Sunday Driving kind of life-style wrong? Some of us would do well to be more laid-back, but I think that this attitude is a serious spiritual condition. It describes a person that has no ideas about his own God-given purpose. There is no thought given to an eternal destination, nor how to get there. And since that has not been determined, it is impossible for eternity to have any effect on the way this life is lived.
Jesus said that there are the two possible destinations for us, with two possible roads. He said one is broad, and leads to destruction. The other is narrow, leading to eternal life... but there are few that find the narrow road. (Matt.7:13,14)
He also declared, “I am the way.... no man comes unto the Father but by me.” So, HE is that narrow road, the one that leads to eternal life.
Jesus also gave the guidelines for finding Him... we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart. Meandering aimlessly will not do it.
When we do find the road, then Christ urges us to “Love one another as I have loved you.” His love is sacrificial. It stops to help others find the way too. This love is also mutually shared with fellow-travelers as they encourage one another to stay headed in the right direction.
If “Sunday driving” has become a foundation for the rest of life, we can let the cross be the STOP sign. The One who died their changes the route, the destination, the travel plans, and the style of driving.
Actually, “Sunday drivers” seldom break any traffic laws. They get the most criticism for bringing out the worst in other drivers!
The highway of life has its “Sunday drivers” too. Many people live just like they drive their cars. For instance:
NO SET DESTINATION: Some people have no plans and goals for life, no firm convictions about where they are going or why they are even on the road. So they drift through this life, thinking that whatever sights they see along the route are the only purpose for taking the trip.
NO PLAN OF TRAVEL: With no destination in mind, the “Sunday drivers” cannot possibly plan a route. Instead, decisions are made according to things like the bumps in the road, whims or moods, the weather, or the scenery. With no goal, and no plan to reach that goal, choices are made by the “eenie-meany” method, or by whatever looks good at the time.
NO PLAN CONCERNING THE STOPS TO MAKE ALONG THE WAY: “Sunday drivers” often think that whatever comes along is all there is to see or be involved in. Their needs are met in a hit and miss fashion, according to what is the most convenient. They often miss life’s best, either because they do not know it is there, or they do not purposely determine to include it in their plans.
OBLIVIOUS TO OTHERS: “Sunday drivers” ignore fellow-travelers. They miss the help that the more experienced could give them and are oblivious to others who may need their help.
Is a Sunday Driving kind of life-style wrong? Some of us would do well to be more laid-back, but I think that this attitude is a serious spiritual condition. It describes a person that has no ideas about his own God-given purpose. There is no thought given to an eternal destination, nor how to get there. And since that has not been determined, it is impossible for eternity to have any effect on the way this life is lived.
Jesus said that there are the two possible destinations for us, with two possible roads. He said one is broad, and leads to destruction. The other is narrow, leading to eternal life... but there are few that find the narrow road. (Matt.7:13,14)
He also declared, “I am the way.... no man comes unto the Father but by me.” So, HE is that narrow road, the one that leads to eternal life.
Jesus also gave the guidelines for finding Him... we will find Him when we seek Him with our whole heart. Meandering aimlessly will not do it.
When we do find the road, then Christ urges us to “Love one another as I have loved you.” His love is sacrificial. It stops to help others find the way too. This love is also mutually shared with fellow-travelers as they encourage one another to stay headed in the right direction.
If “Sunday driving” has become a foundation for the rest of life, we can let the cross be the STOP sign. The One who died their changes the route, the destination, the travel plans, and the style of driving.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Plan? or let it happen? ................................... Parables 039
Do “persistent planners” frustrate you? How about the people who just “take each day as it comes”?
Two extreme personality types they certainly are, and put two of them on the same committee, or in the same marriage, and there will most likely be some major wars. The planner wants control and order, the easy-going person is more apt to trust that order will come without control, and that extensive planning is folly.
One thing that I have noticed about myself is that I tend to try and order or plan the things that I should be trusting God to take care of, and I am free and easy about the things that He has given me the responsibility to plan. Such perversity no doubt frustrates God, sometimes upsets those around me, and certainly steals a great deal of peace of mind that otherwise could be mine. Often the problem is a question of responsibility. Who does what?
Responsibility is a broad topic. Some would give God the weather, the seasons, and anything else that they cannot change, while they busily try to control everything else.
Then there are those people who believe that God is responsible for almost all things, leaving them with very little to do. For example, “God will find me a job,” they say, and refuse to write a resume, answer an ad, or go from place to place making inquiries.
In between those extremes are a few who try to keep a balance. I recall one time being so frustrated with my lack of trust in God, and my inability to be responsible that I sat down and wrote out a two-column list with “God does . . . ” at the top of one column, and “I do . . . ” at the top of the other. After the list had several items on it, I wrote at the bottom, “ . . . and don’t you forget it!” But making a list didn’t change my temperament.
Some soul-searching in the Word of God has helped me to see that my error comes from two sinful attitudes. One is pride. The other is laziness.
Pride tends to make a person want to be in charge, to play God as it were, not only over their own life, but in the lives of others. Pride keeps me from trusting Him to do what only He can do. Pride will manipulate, calculate, and determine. Pride pushes me to push His limits, and doubt His control. Pride will urge me to run when he tells me to wait.
On the other hand, laziness has no intention of playing God. Instead, it sits me back, props up my feet, and coaxes me into thinking that somehow, God will miraculously do those things that He tells me to do, therefore I don’t have to do anything.
There is a place for waiting, even relaxing with feet up and hands folded. Faith sometimes requires that. And there is a place for hard work, consistent effort, and much planning. Faith will also require that. But God says there is no place in my life for pride, or laziness.
The problem is how to tell the difference between pride and zeal, between laziness and humble trust. The solution is having a sensitive spirit, learning how to listen to God, and reading His Word, comparing what he says to the task at hand. He is willing to reveal impure motives, and to replace pride with His humility, laziness with His zeal.
Concerning our planning, He says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
And when we sit back, He can move us . . . “the LORD stirred up the spirit of . . . the governor... the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work . . .” (Haggai 1:14)
As we make an effort to learn and to obey, God is able to keep the balance.
Two extreme personality types they certainly are, and put two of them on the same committee, or in the same marriage, and there will most likely be some major wars. The planner wants control and order, the easy-going person is more apt to trust that order will come without control, and that extensive planning is folly.
One thing that I have noticed about myself is that I tend to try and order or plan the things that I should be trusting God to take care of, and I am free and easy about the things that He has given me the responsibility to plan. Such perversity no doubt frustrates God, sometimes upsets those around me, and certainly steals a great deal of peace of mind that otherwise could be mine. Often the problem is a question of responsibility. Who does what?
Responsibility is a broad topic. Some would give God the weather, the seasons, and anything else that they cannot change, while they busily try to control everything else.
Then there are those people who believe that God is responsible for almost all things, leaving them with very little to do. For example, “God will find me a job,” they say, and refuse to write a resume, answer an ad, or go from place to place making inquiries.
In between those extremes are a few who try to keep a balance. I recall one time being so frustrated with my lack of trust in God, and my inability to be responsible that I sat down and wrote out a two-column list with “God does . . . ” at the top of one column, and “I do . . . ” at the top of the other. After the list had several items on it, I wrote at the bottom, “ . . . and don’t you forget it!” But making a list didn’t change my temperament.
Some soul-searching in the Word of God has helped me to see that my error comes from two sinful attitudes. One is pride. The other is laziness.
Pride tends to make a person want to be in charge, to play God as it were, not only over their own life, but in the lives of others. Pride keeps me from trusting Him to do what only He can do. Pride will manipulate, calculate, and determine. Pride pushes me to push His limits, and doubt His control. Pride will urge me to run when he tells me to wait.
On the other hand, laziness has no intention of playing God. Instead, it sits me back, props up my feet, and coaxes me into thinking that somehow, God will miraculously do those things that He tells me to do, therefore I don’t have to do anything.
There is a place for waiting, even relaxing with feet up and hands folded. Faith sometimes requires that. And there is a place for hard work, consistent effort, and much planning. Faith will also require that. But God says there is no place in my life for pride, or laziness.
The problem is how to tell the difference between pride and zeal, between laziness and humble trust. The solution is having a sensitive spirit, learning how to listen to God, and reading His Word, comparing what he says to the task at hand. He is willing to reveal impure motives, and to replace pride with His humility, laziness with His zeal.
Concerning our planning, He says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
And when we sit back, He can move us . . . “the LORD stirred up the spirit of . . . the governor... the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work . . .” (Haggai 1:14)
As we make an effort to learn and to obey, God is able to keep the balance.
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