Good Plans

Good Plans
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Tamika Brown

[If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Plan your work and work your plan]

These are famous adages that resonate with me. I love a good plan. I do. So much so that I don't really understand how people function without them. I know, I know, that makes me a total Judgey McJudgerson. The Lord is working on me y'all!

This text reminds us that not all plans are created equally. In order for plans to develop into viable options they should be clear, visionary, and actionable. Because of these requirements though, there are plans that are inherently flawed and there are other plans that are "good".

Clear: “I know the plans I have for you”
There is no room left for debate here. God is clear about what God desires for us! Have you ever missed out on an opportunity or even a sale on something you’ve been wanting because you couldn’t decide? In middle school, a friend told me once “study long, study wrong”. In many contexts, this proves to be true. We get so caught up in overthinking that we actually begin to regress and what we are finally able to produce is not our best and our path just is a bit more muddied than it had to be.

Visionary: “… plans to prosper you and not to harm you…”
God cares about our present AND our future. God desires that we flourish; to grow into God’s Promise for us. God reminds us to walk in our promise because that is where we will prosper. When was the last time you were reminded or that you reminded someone else to pursue an interest or idea? When was the last time you were poured into or that you poured into someone else?

Actionable: “…give you hope and (give you) a future”
God is about that action! God is not simply making a list of ideas. God’s plans for us include verbs! Have you ever wondered why an idea you had never moved beyond being “just” an idea? In order to be successful, or even just come to fruition, plans require action. Good plans require multiple and continuous action items. Actions that may change over time, but never cease. Don’t answer out loud but how many times have you ceased while in pursuit of your Promise?

During this Lenten season, we can apply God’s methodology to our daily lives. We can get clear – about our desires, in our prayers and even our communication with others. We can be visionary and look with hope towards the future – for ourselves, for our church, for our community and for our people. We can become actionable – we must put feet to our faith, we must put in the time, the effort, and the commitment towards growth.

No matter the circumstance or situation, Gods plans are always Good Plans.

Prayer: God, we thank you. We thank you for who you are in our lives. We thank you for believing in us and our ability to walk in the purpose that you have designed for us. God, we pray that you will help us believe in ourselves and in our purpose just as you do. We pray Lord God that you continue to grow our minds to that we become more clear and visionary. We pray that you give us the strength to not sit on the sidelines but to be fully engaged and active participants in our purpose walk. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.