Daily Digest: Capstone Capsule

“For I know the PLANS I have for you,” declares the Lord, “PLANS to prosper you and not to harm you…” – Jeremiah 29:11a (NIV)

Closely allied to Prioritizing is the Life Skill of PLANNING for IMPACT, as modelled by God Himself: “For I know the PLANS I have for you,” declares the LORD, “PLANS to prosper you and not to harm you, PLANS to give you hope and a future” (Jer.29:11, NIV). Planning is not anti-spiritual! God is the Perfect Master Planner! He gave Noah the detailed plan and instructions on how to construct the Ark (Gen.6:13-16). He gave Moses the specifications and pattern for the Tabernacle (Exo.25:8-9, 40). God always has a plan before He begins any task or mission, and He wants us to prosper by the same skill!

Our devotional passage on prioritizing also emphasizes planning: For which of you, intending to build a tower, doesn't sit down FIRST, and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it? (Lk.14:28). Planning is counting the cost; and it is vital for Kingdom Living! All Kingdom Priorities – the Word (reading, studying, and meditating), worship, prayer and fasting, fellowship, witnessing, and service – demand meticulous planning. None of these should ever be handled haphazardly or carelessly. These are most effective and rewarding when they are proactively planned. Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance!

Planning is like trying to write ‘future history’! It is about pre-determining the course of actions to take to reach a desired end; designing the steps to be followed today to achieve an envisioned tomorrow; anticipating problems and prospects and thinking ahead to deal with them. Planning tells us how to reach the point where Purpose and Priority have told us we must get to! We cannot afford to leave the future to chance. We plan in order to increase the probability that what we believe should happen, will happen. Without planning, results depend on luck and chance. Planning makes life’s operations orderly and seamless.

We were created as future-oriented beings. We try to project into the future what we have perceived from past experiences. Most people usually plan intuitively, but we need to begin to plan consciously for more effective and productive lives. Planning relieves pressure and stress when we have several events, projects, or activities lined up simultaneously. We must learn to plan with God “…for without Me you can do nothing” (Jh.15:5b). We cannot shut Him out and expect our plans to work out: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD…” (Psa.37:23a). That’s why Prayer is the primary platform for godly plans.

Planning that arises from and is the product of prayer is far superior to planning that is merely “backed-up” by prayer: “Then you will call upon me and go and PRAY to Me, and I will listen to you” (v.12). This is working with God’s Plan that never fails!