In this article we will look at what God’s word teaches concerning our plans and list making. James gives us wisdom instruction on how the child of God should live out his or her daily life and our perspective on the future. Genuine faith knows we do not know what is best. You can purchase the workbook in James over in the Conforming to the Truth Shop.
Making My List and Checking it Twice
Making a list and checking it twice going to make plans without your advice. My plans are making me weary!! I was trying to put words to the tune of “Santa Clause is Coming to Town,” in case you may not have gotten it! Corny, I know:) But, I hope it may, in some way, help us understand what James is teaching in James 4:13-17. Genuine faith knows we do not know what is best.
Are You a List Maker and a Planner?
Are you a planner? Do you plan everything down to the last detail? While you are making all these plans and writing down your list of things to do, do you feel confident that your goals will be met, and you can now skip happily along?
Then surprise, something interferes with YOUR plans, and the happiness and contentment you felt suddenly turn to failure, defeat, and irritation.
That way of thinking describes me on many days! Why do I, why do any of us, that are believers, react this way? I know God is Sovereign and in complete control of all things. But my reaction does not always reveal that I believe that to be true. When I get depressed or irritated, when my plans are interrupted, it shows a heart that is not trusting in and relying on God.
Should I Stop Making Lists and Plans?
Is it wrong to make plans? No! The Bible never tells us not to make plans. It teaches that it is wise to do so. Do not forget the account in Genesis when Pharoah put Joseph in charge of storing up grain for the seven years of famine that would come upon Egypt. Genesis 41. By the way, that was wisdom from God. So, plan and store away like the ants in Proverbs 6:6 and Proverbs 30:25.
But when we make plans, our heart ought always to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” James 4:15
You and I do not know what tomorrow will bring nor what the next minute will bring. But God surely does! Instead of losing hope and getting upset when things do not go “our way,” let’s says as the Psalmist said, ” But as for me, I trust You, LORD, I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hands: Psalm 31:14-15a
God Has a Much Bigger Purpose and Plan
Remember, it is not all about us! It’s all about God. He alone has the perfect plan. All things, even our disruptions, are done for His glory and our good. He works all things after the counsel of His own will. God does not always reveal His plans to us. However, we can rely on and trust that whatever comes to pass is perfect.
Take a minute to look back at some of the plans you made, which were interrupted and fell through. Are you thankful today that God worked His will in “your” plan? I know I can look back and see that the hand of God was working even though, at the moment, it did not seem that way! I am so thankful that my plans where interrupted!
So, go ahead, make your list, check it twice, and leave it in the mighty hand of God!
Other Articles in this Series
Here is a list of articles written to give hope and encouragement as you work through the book of James.
Week:1~Genuine Faith Knows, Considers, and Does Not Doubt
Week 2~Genuine Faith Accepts Responsibility for His Sin and Repents
Week 3~ Genuine Faith Never Uproots the Word of God
Week 4: Genuine Faith Understands God’s Grace Makes Us All Equal
Week 5: Genuine Faith is a Loving Working Faith
Week 6: Genuine Faith: Understands the Importance of Taming its Tongue
WOW!! This lesson hits home for me, in actuality my entire life and faith is ensconced in this lesson!
Let me explain. In June of 1992, I was 19 and working in Wisconsin Dells after my sophomore year of college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I was majoring in marketing (and partying). I was riding my bicycle out of the parking lot of Jellystone Campground where I worked when I was hit head-on by a pickup truck. I was thrown into a ditch after hitting the pavement. Despite having a medical helicopter from University of Wisconsin-Madison hospital (the nearest hospital) respond immediately to the traumatic situation, I endured a 5 month coma from the traumatic brain injury that resulted from the impact.
To make a long story short, I have since graduated the University of Illinois-Champaign, which I transferred to because UW-MADISON is not accessible by wheelchair, which I now use. I worked for a decade full-time for the State of Illinois. I have been married now for 15 years to a gentleman whom I met while still living on campus in Champaign. I believe the greatest miracle of all to be the fact that I was one week pregnant when I was in the accident, unbeknownst to me or the medical personnel at the hospital, despite being given a pregnancy test upon admission. All through my 5 month coma, during which I could neither breathe on my own nor eat plus all of the surgeries I had, God kept both me and the child in me alive. I did not discover I was pregnant until Thanksgiving of 1992 (accident was June).. My daughter wad born prematurely but naturally on January 2, 1993.
I gave her up for Open Adoption at birth to a wonderful Christiam couple who were brought into my life by the Grace of God. My daughter, Christa Mellissa Costello, graduated from St. Mary’s College/Notre Dame University and is now a Civil Engineer Project Manager in Houston.
WHY AM I TELLING YOU ALL OF THIS? To share with you all God’s mercy and blessings, and to show you all how my faith is so strong now because of this so-called “horrible travesty” that occurred in my life! If I could do it all again, I would NOT want to change a thing!!
Susan Elizabeth Henson! What a testimony to the greatness of God! And a testimony to what He says in His word is true. What we would call travesty, He calls a blessing! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I am praising God with you!