April 25, 2024 Is Planning Ahead Over-Rated?
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Read: Exodus 9:17-20 Is Planning Ahead Over-Rated?
When the cloud moved from its place over the Tent, the Israelites moved,
and wherever the cloud stopped, the Israelites camped…
Sometimes the cloud stayed over the Tent for a long time,…
Sometimes the cloud was over it only a few days.
(Exodus 9:17-20, NCV)
During her childhood, my friend’s family vacations started with no plans. Her dad piled wife, kids, and family pets into the car. He then drove to the end of the block where he stopped, turned to his family, and asked, “So, where to this time?”
Just hearing her story I hyperventilated and reached for a brown paper bag. I preferred my dad’s meticulous plotting of the road ahead, especially when travelling unfamiliar territory. My quest was to appear in control, competent to manage the situation, and capable of navigating the way to a successful outcome. Even so, I never could fully account for my directionally challenged nature or the unknown obstacles that would cross my path. I was never completely in control as desired.
While forethought is helpful, planning too far ahead or in too much detail can be overrated. After leaving Egypt, had only God’s ever-present cloud to lead the way to the “land God promised.” When and wherever the cloud stopped, they stopped. As long as it stayed, they stayed. When the cloud moved, they moved. Oh, they grumbled about unforeseen hardships and because of their mistrust in the outcome. (I’m sure I would have been among those who groused.)
When I pray, “Where to now, God?” God rarely answers by handing me a GPS with the next leg of my journey and exact directions to get there. He usually answers, “Follow My cloud.” He speaks through the cloud of peace that settles in my heart where I am and need to stay, even when circumstances or situations are difficult. Other times, He speaks through the cloud of nagging restlessness or dissatisfaction that hums through my soul without good reason and says it’s time to move even though life is easy, and I am happy.
Plan the work and work the plan is still my nature. But I now know also to stay alert and look forward to how God might alter the plan, shift the destination, or change the pace to getting there. I know to leave my plans in His hands for best outcome.
Reflect: How is God calling you to think differently about where you are going and how you are getting there?
Prayer: Loving God, As I reflect on the unpredictable nature of life’s journey, help me trust in Your guidance and faithfulness, even when I cannot see the road ahead. Grant me wisdom to discern the movements of Your cloud in my life—the peace that assures me I am where I need to be, the restlessness that prompts me to move forward, or the circumstances that take me in a surprise direction. Grant me the courage to follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
By His Grace,
Gloria