I have written on the ideas of focusing on joy and having joy in the morning, this morning I read in Proverbs 12 and found the reminder to plan for joy.
“20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.”
— Proverbs 12:20 (ESV)
I have the belief that I should have plans on top of plans and contingencies on top of contingencies, why then is having a plan for joy such a hard thing for me to embrace. I have to be better at planning for the joy of the LORD and not just “hoping” for it to be there (remembering that hope leads to action which leads to joy). I have to look at planning and the work of the LORD to bring the joy of the LORD.
Those that do evil, plan for that evil. The evil is created and acted on. I should do the same with joy. I have to create the opportunities to have and act bring about joy. I have to look to the chance to have joy, first and foremost, for me and then when I have joy, I will be able to spread that joy to others in the world. But, I have to plan for it so that I have direction and meaning and not just spontaneity.
Coaches put together game plans. Leaders put together business plans. Pastors put together sermon plans. Philanthropists put together service plans. I should be putting together joy plans. I have to wake up in the morning and focus on joy, but not just the joy for me but in the plan for the joy of the LORD to be had by all.
All of this starts with knowing the word of the LORD and understanding our purpose. I know that my mission in life is to “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s Love” and that as I am reminded, starts with planning for it to happen. I have to plan for the growth and learning. I have to plan to get the message to others. I have to plan for the LORD to shine through me. I have to plan to bring joy to the world.
How are you going about your day? Are you just hoping that it will happen in a positive way? What if you planned for the day and more importantly planned for the joy of the LORD in your life so that you are able to bring that joy to the world?
Trevor's Thoughts 