Lord, what is Your plan? For most of my life, I did not give much thought to asking the Lord His thoughts before proceeding with my ideas. Planning without asking the Lord may have been your experience also. Matthew 6:33 affirms the importance of seeking the Lord before moving forward and the benefits when we do. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [1]
Because of our sinful nature, humanity seeks our perceived needs instead of what God would have us do. As an older adult, a friend came to faith and realized the Lord’s plans were far superior to anything he conceived.
The Disciples were Seeking God’s Plan
The disciples recognized it was Passover and Jesus had a plan for where to have this sacred meal. Instead of assuming where to celebrate, the disciples asked Jesus where they were to prepare the meal.
Mark 14: 13 So Jesus sent two of them into Jerusalem with these instructions: “As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 At the house, he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ 15 He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.”[2]
Often, when we develop our plan apart from God, we head in the wrong direction. I speak from personal experience. When we check in with the Lord, it keeps our focus on Him and the Lord’s plans for us.
God’s Plans are Fulfilling
King Solomon spent much of his life pursuing the dreams of the world in many different areas but found little fulfillment. Ecclesiastes 2:9 So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. 11 But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. [3]
When we seek the Lord’s plan, we don’t have to waste time pursuing what the Lord wants us to avoid. God’s plans build a life that changes us and those around us for the better. The Lord created you with unique gifts and abilities to be a difference-maker! When we place our faith in Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. The Holy Spirit is a gift from the Lord that guides us like GPS (Global Positioning System) to the excellent plans He has for us.
T. B. Joshua writes, “Remember, when God is executing His plan in our lives, He also designs and arranges events which continue to unfold until His purpose is revealed.”[4]
Lord, what is Your plan? To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-a-table-in-presence-of-enemies
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 6:33). Tyndale House Publishers.