Planning and God’s Sovereignty go Hand and Hand

This post is by Patty Lewis.

Our son is 13 years old and a fine young man.  For a while now, he has been choosing to read a Proverb a day.  Sometimes I sit with him and we read together.  It continues to amaze me how much wisdom is packed into every verse and chapter. 

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. 

Proverbs 16:9

It is a verse like this that gives me great pause to think.  In my heart I do plan my course.  Then the verse says, “but” and reminds me the Lord establishes my every step.  This is the connection I am often forgetting when I am planning my course in my heart (in my mind and on my planner.) 

It is reassuring to know that He establishes my steps.  My respect and trust for Him grow when I meditate on that thought.  What also grows is my awareness of just how intimately connected He is to the planning process.  He has gifted us with the stewardship of time.  In that stewardship of time, He also gives us a great amount of creative freedom.  We can plan well and continue to trust He is establishing our steps.  He will adjust our plans according to His will.  I am not responsible for those adjustments, only for submitting to them.

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by lists of things to do and even paralyzed in the planning process.  The unimaginable number of things to accomplish, people who have needs to be met and my inability to figure out how it is going to happen become too much.  Seeing the connection between my plans and His establishment of my steps is the answer to my troubles.  It is not my responsibility to make it all work out.  He has already promised to do so. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:28-29

When I look up the definition of plan, I see it is both a noun and a verb, depending on how it is used.  Upon reading the actual definitions, it quickly becomes clear how I misinterpret the meaning.  A plan is a detailed proposal of doing or achieving something; an intention or decision about what one is going to do.  To plan is to decide on and arrange in advance; to design or make a plan of something to be made or built. 

A plan is just a proposal, an idea of what could be done.  Plans are not unchangeable once made.  Plans can be altered, adjusted and tweaked as needed. Planning is a tool, but I must remain flexible and submissive to His will.  It is important for me to remain in His presence, to continue to pray, talk to Him about what is happening, what I am planning and where I am overwhelmed--not to press on blindly. He is not going to leave me or forsake me, instead, He always promises to guide and protect.  My planning and His Sovereignty are not separate, they go hand in hand.

So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Thank You Lord for loving us, giving us creative freedom to be a part of the planning process and walking with us along the way.  May You be glorified as we plan out how to steward the time You have given us.  Help us to love our families well and shine the light of Jesus to all that our lives touch.  

Patty Lewis lives on the Space Coast of Florida with her Husband, Son, Mother-in-Law, dog and two cats.  She is a homeschool Momma, loves serving other Moms in her Church and community through encouragement in practical ways and enjoys reading, gardening, Disney, anything with her family and laughing really loud.