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? – Luke 14:28

We have seen that Kingdom Living is foremost in our Father’s Heart (Mt.6:33). We have also meditated on five priorities that are subsumed in Kingdom Living, namely: the Word, Worship, Prayer (and fasting), Fellowship, and Service (including Witnessing). In Luke 14:28, we see another FIRST: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down FIRST and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” This refers to Planning. Planning is primary to Kingdom Living! None of the five priorities should ever be handled haphazardly or carelessly. Reading, studying, and meditating on the Word are most rewarding when they follow a plan. Prayer, worship, fellowship, and service are most effective and productive when they are proactively planned. On the other hand however, the best plan is received in the place of prayer.

Why Plan? Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance (PPPPP)! Planning is like trying to write ‘future history’! It is concerned with pre-determining the course of actions to take to achieve a desired result; designing the steps to be followed today to achieve a successful tomorrow; and anticipating problems and prospects and thinking ahead to deal with them. We cannot afford to leave the future to chance. Planning tells us how to reach the point where Purpose and Priority have told us we must ultimately be! We plan in order to increase the probability that what we believe should happen, will happen. Without planning, results depend upon luck and chance happenings. Planning brings smoothness and order into life’s operations.

The primacy of planning in relieving pressure and stress becomes obvious when we have several events, projects, and activities lined up simultaneously. We were created as future-oriented beings. We try to project into the future what we have perceived from past experiences. Most people plan intuitively on a regular basis, but we need to begin to plan consciously as part of our regular routines in order to achieve more productive lives. Some Christians however fear that Planning is unspiritual. The truth is: God is the Perfect Master Planner! He gave Noah the plan and detailed instructions to construct the Ark (Gen.6:13-16). He gave Moses the pattern and specifications to build His Sanctuary (Exo.25:8-9, 40). He always has a Plan before He starts anything. He had a plan for natural creation (Gen.1:2-25); for human creation (Gen.1:26-31); and for redemption – “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…” (Eph.1:4a).

God always plans before He ever begins any task or mission, and He wants us to prosper by the same principle! It is vital for us to plan with God’s help: “…for without Me you can do nothing” (Jh.15:5b). We cannot shut God out and expect our plans to work out: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD…” (Psa.37:23a). Prayer comes in here. Prayer and planning are not contradictory. Prayer is the 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. It means we are working with God’s Plans which never fail! If the plan is not of God, no amount of prayer will make it count in eternity. It may work in time and achieve the goals men have in mind, but it cannot endure (Ps.127:1; 1Cor.3:13). In this beginning month, decide to Prayerfully Plan with God.