Imperfect Plans

The Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center is a place many of us miss.  For about fifty years, VUMAC was “the” place for United Methodists to gather.  There was a 500 seat auditorium and over that was a full size gym and running track.  The only problem was that when you had something in the auditorium, you couldn’t have any activity in the gym.  A bouncing ball over powered the P.A. system.  When the architects designed the gym and the auditorium, they failed to think about one activity over-powering another.

In life as well, our plans are often flawed.  We sometimes overlook important considerations. Although planning helps us avoid financial shortfalls, time crunches and health issues, even the best strategies can’t eliminate all problems from our lives.

The verses of Proverbs 19:20-23 are connected by key words that suggest the importance of God’s people seeking wisdom and also acknowledging that God’s plans are authoritative.  In verse 20 the Hebrew word esa is translated as “advice”, but in verse 21, the same word is translated as “purpose”. A person who listens to advice is wise, but God’s purposes and plans are above the plans of the wise. Proverbs offers general guidelines for living but it’s not guaranteed that one who lives in this way will be immune to difficulties (see the Book of Job).

With God’s help, we can find the balance between considering the future (Proverbs 6:6-8) and responding to difficulties.  God often has a purpose for the trouble He allows into our lives.  God may use it to develop patience in us, to increase our faith, or simply to bring us closer to Him.  Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

As we tell Jesus what our plans for the future are, Jesus will show us what He wants us to accomplish. If we are to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus, we must listen to Jesus in all that we say and do.

Prayer – God, I believe you are in control of everything.  Help us to live wisely in this world, committing all our plans to You.  Amen.

Proverbs 19:21 – Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Author: Tommy Herndon