Planning is in my genes.
My father did it, my mom does it, and I’ve followed suit.
My profession demands it.
Dates are entered in Windows calendar, synced with my blackberry and handwritten on a day planner. When someone asks about an activity date I can normally answer. Those on teams with me learn I live by the rule: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
While plans are helpful, having them doesn’t guarantee success.
I once planned to farm. My grandfathers farmed, and I loved everything about it. It didn’t happen. I didn’t plan to preach but it happened anyway. Why? Two different agendas.
Jesus’ agenda was stringent. He knew how to draw and disperse a crowd. Revealing his agenda and its requirements always divided His listeners: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24 NIV).
But following God’s agenda requires sacrifice.
There's nothing pretty about a cross or giving up things we want to follow Jesus. The disciples did it anyway. Their reward was ridicule, rejection, persecution, misunderstanding and for some martyrdom. But what others classified "failure" or "stupidity," God deemed success.
Worthy agendas are set through prayer and intense meditation on God’s Word. This will position us on paths that honor God and positively impact our world.
We always win when we Let God determine our agenda.
Lord, guide us to accept Your agenda regardless of whether it leads where we selfishly want to go.
Read Martin's bio on the Lead Writers Page.
Please subscribe to WOW and receive newly posted devotions in your email box:
1000 Gifts: I'm so grateful that I'm always on God's Agenda (i.e. He's never too busy for me).
I loved this post. It's so true - my agenda and God's agenda often look very different. Especially if I've neglected to spend time with Him to find out where He's leading me. Thank you for these words.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder on a Monday - It is so easy to start the week off with good intentions after going to a Sunday service, but by the time Monday morning rolls around we are sucked back into the routine of daily living and push that resolve from Sunday to the back burner. Sure God's agenda will happen, I just want to make sure I'm listening and doing my part according to His will.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great reminder that following Jesus requires sacrifice. I may have to sacrifice my time, my money, or simply my plans to follow Him.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a planner. It's so hard to let go of what I think should be happening, and to stop and listen to God. I'd love to have you link this to my blog hop - it's a great reminder.
ReplyDeletePaula at Welcoming Spirit
http://bit.ly/HeD4GH
I love to plan! But I totally agree with what you said: "We always win when we Let God determine our agenda."
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting your blog for the first time from Faith Filled Friday. I loved your post. What a great reminder of where our focus should be. I know I want mine on God all time!
ReplyDeleteHis agenda...His timetable...sacrifice...thanks for this awesome message.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha, this was timely for me. I've been struggling with learning to wait,and I'm usually so busy planning or doing rather than being patient that this is a challenge for me. I love your writing "We always win when we Let God determine our agenda." I also read recently that waiting on God (letting him determine our agenda)is acknowledging that His is the better idea (ouch...that stings, huh?). I'm so glad I roamed here on the Faith Filled Friday Blog Hop.
ReplyDeletePeace and good to you.