“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
Plans are a part of life. It’s how we keep our day in order, how we keep track of time, how we work more efficiently, and much more. Plans aren’t a bad thing. The only issue comes when we forget that our plans aren’t set in stone.
The proverb says that there are many plans in a person’s heart, but that above all human plans, God’s purpose prevails. Some might take this to mean that planning is worthless and that Christians should simply leave their lives unplanned to facilitate God’s will. This is a misunderstanding. The writer of this proverb mentioned nothing about the plans of a person’s heart being bad, simply that God’s plans are always more important, always better, and they always prevail.
We often struggle as Christians to figure out what God’s will is in our lives. When we’re choosing between which job to take or which city to move to or any number of other things we may ask, “What is God’s will?” In some contexts, there may be biblical advice to answer that question. But in many cases, the answer is that God’s will can and will prevail no matter which decision you make. If you choose Job X over Job Y, you’re no more or less able to live according to God’s will. Your ability to live according to God’s purpose is just as intact whether you choose to live in Chicago or Cincinnati. The problem is that we’ve limited God as if he’s restricted to our decisions.
God’s purpose prevails because it doesn’t depend on our plans. It exists before and above and greater than all of our plans and decisions. No plan or decision that you or I make will prevent God’s purpose from unfolding.
So rather than putting off decisions or plans to wait for God to decide for you, know that God’s plan will be working whatever your decision is. Pray for guidance on how you might steward his plan best, but know that you cannot ruin God’s plans. His will always has a way.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for your good and perfect plan. Thank you for having a plan for my life and a purpose for me that I can’t mess up with my own short-sighted plans. Please show me how to steward your will in my life and how to live for your kingdom, regardless of my circumstances.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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