Whose plan is it?

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

This scripture has come to mind this afternoon as I reflect on all that God has done not only in my own life but also in many other ministries within the church.  It continues to remind me that very often we can get so caught up in our own stuff; we can get so caught up in making our own plans, that we forget that it is only the purposes and the will of God that prevails.  

As I think about my own ministry I am reminded that it can be so easy (and dangerous) to get so focused on where I want to go that I forget that God is in control.  In fact I think I can confidently say that if God is not driving then I don't want to be in the car.  How foolish to even consider that we, mere humans, know the best way to carry out Gods plans.  I have been reminded in recent days of how important it is not only to be reading the word of God but also to be committed to daily prayer.  I don't know about you but I certainly don't want to be walking in my own plans and thoughts when it comes to leading God's church.  Even the distraction of the many voices around us can be used by the devil himself to try and thwart the plans of the Lord.

If we as a church are to truly be able to satisfactorily carry out God's plan for the local church then we need to be in tune with what God is saying.  We need to be spending time in his presence and we certainly need to be praying.  God is at work around us and we need to join him in what he is doing.  However, in the middle of this we need to be so careful that we do not try to overlay our own plans over that of God.  

As humans we have many ideas and plans of where we think we should be going or how something should be done but we must be very careful that they fall in line with God's will and purpose.  Too often Christians, the church and even the social arm of our ministries claim to be carrying out the plans of the Lord when in actual fact we are so focused on our own plans that we have pushed God out altogether.  If we are to be truly successful at building God's church and ushering in the kingdom of God then God needs to be at the center of it all, our focus and ultimate goal is to bring others into a relationship with Christ.  If it is anything other than that then there is no point.

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