Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Successful Planning
I've written several times about how David "inquired of the Lord" before going into battle or making a decision. 1 Chronicles 13 relates the story of David's plan to move the ark into Jerusalem. This is strategic because the ark represented God's presence and blessing over Israel and over David's reign as king. In his passion, David wants to restore the ark to it's proper place of prominence. While his intentions are honorable, his plan is faulty. The consequence of his carelessness? Uzzah died. David was angry, but he is at fault for not consulting God.
In today's passage, David confesses, "we failed to ask God how to move it [the ark] properly" (1 Chronicles 15:13b). I don't like to think of how many times I have also had good intentions, only to have my plan fall apart or fizzle out. I'm not sure that anyone has ever been killed by my carelessness, but I know that people have been hurt. If only I had inquired of the Lord and been obedient to His instruction! What damage could have been avoided if I had just waited on God's advice and followed His lead. I'm reminded of a strong word of advice from Proverbs (it's repeated in two passages - probably because we are so prone to this mistake!): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (14:12 & 16:25).
At our church, we are coming up on a couple of milestones - our 30th Anniversary and paying off our mortgage to become debt-free. Our leadership team has been meeting to discuss and plan for the future. We are in the process of developing a master plan that will outline ways to make our facility more effective for ministry. We don't believe that God wants us going back into slavery (the Bible says that the borrower is slave to the lender - Proverbs 22:7), so our planning is tempered by some non-negotiable principles. But the guiding principle throughout this process is seeking the Master's Plan - going to God to discover His will for our church. Again, Solomon confirms this Psalm 127:1a - "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."
As I've already attested, I've not always heeded this admonition. I can tell you, emphatically, that the greatest moments in my life, my most successful accomplishments, and the sweetest victories have been because I first inquired of the Lord and then followed His lead in obedience. And yes, the worst moments, the most miserable failures, and the times of defeat can be attributed to my own carelessness and disobedience.
The key (not just for those of us in leadership, but for every believer and follower of Christ) is to ALWAYS go to God first. Years ago, we would plan our Sunday services and the worship leader would include at the top of each agenda, "As the Holy Spirit leads." Following His lead is critical to accomplishing His will in our lives and in our ministry. I encourage you to follow the Master's Plan for your life. Wait for God's direction, create your agenda, and believe me, it will be better than any plan than you could conceive!
In today's passage, David confesses, "we failed to ask God how to move it [the ark] properly" (1 Chronicles 15:13b). I don't like to think of how many times I have also had good intentions, only to have my plan fall apart or fizzle out. I'm not sure that anyone has ever been killed by my carelessness, but I know that people have been hurt. If only I had inquired of the Lord and been obedient to His instruction! What damage could have been avoided if I had just waited on God's advice and followed His lead. I'm reminded of a strong word of advice from Proverbs (it's repeated in two passages - probably because we are so prone to this mistake!): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (14:12 & 16:25).
At our church, we are coming up on a couple of milestones - our 30th Anniversary and paying off our mortgage to become debt-free. Our leadership team has been meeting to discuss and plan for the future. We are in the process of developing a master plan that will outline ways to make our facility more effective for ministry. We don't believe that God wants us going back into slavery (the Bible says that the borrower is slave to the lender - Proverbs 22:7), so our planning is tempered by some non-negotiable principles. But the guiding principle throughout this process is seeking the Master's Plan - going to God to discover His will for our church. Again, Solomon confirms this Psalm 127:1a - "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain."As I've already attested, I've not always heeded this admonition. I can tell you, emphatically, that the greatest moments in my life, my most successful accomplishments, and the sweetest victories have been because I first inquired of the Lord and then followed His lead in obedience. And yes, the worst moments, the most miserable failures, and the times of defeat can be attributed to my own carelessness and disobedience.
The key (not just for those of us in leadership, but for every believer and follower of Christ) is to ALWAYS go to God first. Years ago, we would plan our Sunday services and the worship leader would include at the top of each agenda, "As the Holy Spirit leads." Following His lead is critical to accomplishing His will in our lives and in our ministry. I encourage you to follow the Master's Plan for your life. Wait for God's direction, create your agenda, and believe me, it will be better than any plan than you could conceive!
Labels: Plans
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