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Letters From The Heart
Jediael "The Preacha Poet" Johnson
"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD" v. 1"Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established" v. 3 "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps" v. 9 "The lot is cast into the lap, but it's every decision is from the LORD" v. 33
The underlying theme in these verses clearly shows us the folly in placing our trust in plans, strategems, and methodologies, etc. as the be-all-end-all of our lives. There are oftentimes 2 extremes of attitude toward planning. Either 1) we're obsessed with devising sound, fool-proof plans and place all our confidence in our ability TO plan or having the right information/tools/material FOR the plan. Or 2) we don't plan at all and have a nonchalant "well, God's-in-control-anyway-so-I-don't-have-to-do-anything-but-twiddle-my-thumbs-as-I-trust-and-wait-on-Him" attitude. Neither of these extremes is correct (or fruitful in the long-run).
YES, we are to rest in Jesus as the Originator and Perfecter of our faith; YES, we are to place no confidence in the flesh and be led by the Spirit; and YES, we must understand that God is sovereign...but that doesn't mean that we don't prepare, plan, and position. There is a balance. And our Lord Jesus Himself endorsed sound strategy and proper preparation in Luke 14:28-32. Of course, He was illustrating the need to count the cost of discipleship, the laid-down life required in order to follow Him. But clearly there is an allusion to careful consideration of actions prior to committing to a task, objective, or mission.
But what's my point? What we're really dealing with, ultimately, is the juxtaposition of God's sovereignty and human responsibility (which is still in the context of the working of God's grace). How so? Because this is about more than just how/why/when we plan. How we go about planning informs and is reflective of our our practical theology and indeed our entire lifestyle of worship. Who/what are we considering first as we plan? Our own dreams and objectives, our own will and desire, ourselves? Or the sovereign God who purchased us with the precious price of His Son's precious blood?
The LORD allows us to make choces, decisions, plans etc. within the context of what Jesus Himself prayed as He prepared his heart for the Cross"...yet not my will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42). May this always be our prayer as we plan our days with our will subject to His will. May the LORD bless and keep you, in all you do and go through. Grace & Peace.
Your Servant & Brother in Christ,
Jediael "The Preacha Poet" Johnson
Founder & Servant-Leader, Soul Speech Ministries souljah4yeshua@yahoo.com
(213) 447-9419
"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel" - Ephesians 6:19 NIV
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