A Word from Our Founder: To Plan or Not To Plan?

This discussion has been bopping around in my head since I decided to build a planner. I personally love to plan and have been diving into this conversation to see what God has to say. At first I believed there were two sides to the argument.

Argument A - We must plan our lives! (my thought exactly) Nothing happens with out plans and determination. Getting things done requires thoughtful preparation.

Then you have Argument B - How dare you think we can plan our own lives? Haven't you heard the phrase, "if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?"God tells us not to worry what we will eat and drink tomorrow, so He doesn't want us to plan those things out. (oh yeah... this is true too...ergh)

Which camp are you in? Both? Great me too! So I explored the Word to realize that these two arguments weave together with God's promise. God is so good, and His plans for you are better than we can imagine. In order to hear His plans, we must listen. In order to live His plans we must be available. God does not call the highly qualified to do His will, God qualifies you to do His great will.

So how do these arguments weave together? I broke it down in 4 truths.

1 - God puts 'dreams' "actions' 'callings' on our lives just like He told Noah to build an Ark. This has not stopped. We have a Godly imagination because we are built in His image. It's up to us to write them down and carve out time in our schedules to execute them. There are 7 days in a week and someday is not one of them.

2 - Not every dream you write down on your bucket list will come to fruition, but this should not discourage you from dreaming and writing everything down that pops into your head. God's plan is perfect-have faith in His timing. I've been doing dream planning for a while and I have big plans that have been on my list for 3 years. They will come if they are meant to, I have faith in God's timing.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

3 - We are kinda lazy and easily distracted.... 'what? sorry I was checking my Instagram. You were saying?' Sound familiar? We have to make an effort people! To know where you want to go is Step One. Step Two is action! A trick to make your big dreams more digestible is to break it down into smaller goals. In the Dream Planner we have a section where you write down your Top 3 dreams of 2015. There you can list out smaller stepping stones to make that trip/event/house/(insert your dream) here happen! When you take the time to write out the steps towards your big goal guess what? It's super exciting!! and achievable!! especially with God on your side and pure motives!

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

4 - God calls us to stop worrying, not to stop planning. We're not built to carry the stress and worries of life. Jesus is the prince of peace, peace that passes our understanding. Let's press into His peace this year and boldly dream out our plans with assurance of His faithfulness. The quality of your life, is the quality of your dreams.

Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Psalm 40:5  Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Stay Blessed!

Love,

Polly Payne