Managing Changing Plans - August 2007

Plans and planning are a necessary part of life. Some of us live and die by the plan; others, would rather live and die without a plan! However, the Scriptures do admonish us to plan and to do it in such a way that God receives the glory for what is accomplished through the plan.

First, let’s take a look at James 4:13-15, where planning occurs amongst men to travel to a city, stay there a year, buy, sell, and make gain. This is a fine plan and one that we find in other places in Scripture regarding the parables of the talents and the minas. Jesus expected those entrusted with riches, both earthly and heavenly, to go and make gain. So where is the issue?

The problem comes when we, you and I, leave out those important words from James 4:15, “if the Lord wills, we shall live and do this, or that.” In our plans there must always be the provision for God to intervene and make changes. I know that I live with this on a daily basis, and I’m sure that you do as well. Note, however, that planning is not condemned in any way; rather it is the presumptive attitude of the planners that James is speaking to. Also, don’t confuse lack of prior planning for the character quality of flexibility. Some things are unknowable when the plan is put together, so there must be flexibility. However, many things are knowable, can be planned, and should be planned for the good of your family or the group that you are leading.

The key issue, for me, is, “How do I respond when God changes my plans?” Many emotions can come out including frustration, anger, and embarrassment. The right path to take, from my perspective, is to simply take a deep breath, gather all the facts, ask what God would have me learn, and revise my plan according to the new information. It is a humbling situation to have God revise my plan, but I’ve found that the results are always much better than I ever could have imagined!

Another good way to plan is to develop options at the obvious cross roads, or decision points, on your plan. In order to do this successfully you must “take the trip in your mind” first. This means playing out all of the items in your plan to catch the obvious “uh-ohs” before they cause real problems. You can then develop alternatives, some of which will depend upon what actually happens when you execute your plan, and some of which will depend upon Providence and God’s desires for you. A comforting thought is that nothing you or I plan or execute will be allowed to happen that doesn’t first pass through God’s hands; Job 1 teaches us this.

The bottom line, then, is to make plans for our activities, develop contingencies, and then to execute with full energy with an eye to see how God will change them, if necessary, to accomplish His sovereign purposes.

We at ALERT Cadets do planning to prepare for the next months and weeks ahead. We are in that process now for the next five years, so please pray for us that we would accurately discern God’s will in many important matters.

In Christ,

Maj. Roger D. Farr
ALERT Cadet Commanding Officer and Program Director