"'For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11
Growing up in the '80's, one of my favorite action TV shows was The A-Team. Ex-military operatives, wrongly framed for a crime, and on the run. Their leader, John "Hannibal" Smith, the brains of the outfit, was frequently known to say, "I love when a plan comes together!"
Guys, don't we love when the plans we personally make come together? Of course, we do! That's one thing that makes us who we are! We have a natural desire to set up a plan....ANY plan, and it works out, without a hitch. It can be building a deck, going on a fishing trip, that perfect night out with our wives (or girlfriends, for the single fellas). We want everything to go exactly as we planned it in our heads.
Hmmm, what about God's plans? Jeremiah gave hope to those in exile by the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar, that God had plans for them. So does He also have plans for each of us. Some of those plans will differ for each of us so, we need to keep our hearts and minds open to what direction the Lord is steering our lives. Sounds like an incredible journey, to me! God also gave everyone a single plan to follow. He made this known, by way of His Son, to the apostles. Matthew records this in the 28th chapter of his book:
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.' " (vs. 18-20)
We find that plan taking action, in the various events from the book of Acts. Those disciples went out and begun to expand Christ's church. The opportunities and events for each of us may look quite a bit different than it did back in those historic times but, God will present the opportunity for each of us to go forth and share Jesus with others. What a wonderful plan, isn't it? Let's strive to listen closely, as the Almighty utilizes us for His divine plans, both the individual plans and His great commission.
