Some people love to plan; others live life by the seat of their pants.

The Bible has various things to say about planning. On the one hand, the wise man builds his house on the rock (Matthew 7). He plans and makes sure he has a proper foundation for the house. On the other hand, the man who stores up grain so that he can relax, eat, drink and be merry is called a “fool.” (Luke 12:20)

Which is it? Do we plan? Do we not plan?

There are those who I have met that told me God gave them a 20-year plan for their life and they followed it to a “t” for those 20 years. Then there are those who are waiting on God to tell them what to do and all they hear is crickets: nothing.

How can the same God give someone a detailed blueprint for the next 20 years of their life while at the same time seemingly ignore another one who is eager to hear from Him regarding future plans?

Several times in my life I’ve had God “disrupt” my plans. I say, “disrupt,” because in each case I had my plans, and either He directed me differently or the way He led me was in a complete opposite direction.

For those who think they have it all figured out, God occasionally likes to show up in surprising ways. Others who thought they had everything under control realize later that God’s design was in it all. Still others who are open to His leading receive promptings that help them discern the direction which to go

Which is it? Do we plan for the future or do we not plan for the future? Yes

We plan but we hold all things loosely knowing that God might have different plans and that life might throw us a curve ball.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Regardless of the way you live life with lots of plans or no plans, God has good plans for you.

Is there one plan that fits all? No.

Be sensitive to when His plan for you is different than your plan for you, and be open to places He might want to take you.

Be prepared to make plans as God may not hand you a plan for your life for the next 25 years. Then it is up to you to figure it out. He trusts you.

By Ralph Veenstra