You read that right. God’s plan has been in the works for thousands of years. It all began prior to the creation and is still playing out today. Talk about waiting for and letting things develop over time, it has been over 2000 years just on this side of the birth of Jesus Christ. And, there is no way for us to know when His plan will be fully complete, so it could continue for thousands of years longer, or not.

“⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” – Ephesians 1:7-10 (ESV)

There is so much to unpack in those verses, but where my eyes were brought this morning is in verse 10 and the plan set in place “for the fullness of time”. This is where I must hang my hat to know that God’s plan is ultimate and we are just working in that plan until it is completed. That completion time is unknown, although once all is united “in Him” it will be done.

In the world we are a part of, there seems to be this desire to have all things “right now” and as such, the satisfaction of receiving is lost. Thinking of Christmas time and how often is it that the gift given is thrown to the side because the newer version launches the next week. Or the promotion received at work is received after the third month on the job and the satisfaction is lost the next week when the next promotion is seen to be years away.

I have the privilege of serving God at a church plant in Boerne, Texas. As the church is less than one year old, the growth has been phenomenal thanks to God. As it goes, I was able to have a great lunch with our pastor a bit ago and was blessed to appreciate the satisfaction of that growth and hear it in Jared’s words. He was overjoyed with the growth, and quick to indicate that in spite of that growth, the approach to the vision would remain slow so as to improve the depth discipleship of every member of the church and the community we serve. The alignment to God’s plan is amazing.

If God can have a plan in the works for millennia, I believe a plans for me that take 10 years or so is not so out of the question and should be something that I strive for. I have to remember that it is the plan and the journey more so than just reaching the end that will bring the satisfaction, peace, and joy to me and more importantly to God.

Where is your focus on satisfaction, the end result, or the journey? How much satisfaction, peace, and joy are you getting at the end result? What if you were to have a plan that is in the works for tens of years instead of tens of days?

Ever go into something without a real plan, you just show up and expect everything to go as you want it to or thought is should? Well, that is something that God does not do, nor will or has He ever experienced.

“²²Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that god did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—²³this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” – Acts 2:22-23 (ESV)

Imagine that, God sent Jesus, knowing full well what was in store for Him. He was delivered to this world for our good, not His own. He was then presented and charged, not for doing anything wrong, but for being who He was. He was crucified (killed or murdered if you will) for just being Jesus, even when found not to have done anything wrong. And God allowed it to happen as a part of his definite plan.

Now, when God has such a plan of death for His only son in the flesh, wouldn’t it make sense that He has a definite plan for me. His plan for Jesus was death so that I would not have to die, wouldn’t His plan for me then be life to spread the gospel of that death. And wouldn’t He protect me and provide for me as a part of that plan so that it will be carried out to the full extent and completion.

God had a definite plan for Jesus and He has a definite plan for me. My job is to seek out that plan and always to be moving forward in that plan. I may not always know what is in store around the next bend as I carry out God’s plan, but my task is to go anyway and know that God’s definite plan is in the works and that plan includes me.

Are you aware that God’s plan is currently in the works? Where do you fit into that plan? What if you simply did the work God has for you and know that it is all part of His definite plan?

Something I have been struggling with for quite a while now is finding difficulty at every turn doing my work at the office. I seem to be running into more and more challenges with getting things accomplished efficiently and with high quality based on what I am not in control.

“²⁰Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. ²¹No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.” – Proverbs 12:20-21 (ESV)

I am a planner and like to think that I have contingency plans for the contingency plans in place. This gives me the ability to make the adjustments and work to get things right as opposed to just getting them done. The difficulty I have encountered for this while is that I may have contingencies, however it appears as though everyone else reacts to what is happening and works to make things up on the fly.

As I read this morning in Proverbs as I continue my study of the word “plan”, these verses stood out to me as medicine for my aches and pains at the office. I have to remember that planning for peace is the way to joy. I have to look for the good and positive in my situation and stop looking for what will go wrong. It is not my inefficiency that is causing my difficulty and therefore I must remember that I have planned for peace and joy will follow. The more I know that I have done all that I can do, the more that I will find the peace to walk away from the situations knowing that the plans I had, that were in line with the plans God has for me, were fulfilled. As those plans are fulfilled, I will find more joy and trouble will fall to the side.

What difficulties are you experiencing? What plans did you make to find peace? What could you do to make sure that the joy is found from peace as opposed to the trouble encountered with lack of planning?

Most of us have neighbors that are relatively close to us, whether in proximity, or relational. As such, it is up to us to do good by them and not plan or plat any evil toward them.

“²⁹Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.” – Proverbs 3:29 (ESV)

I know, when I read this verse, I think about whether I do plan against my neighbors. Do I look for ways of doing them harm? But that is just the beginning of planning with regard to my neighbor. I don’t plan out ways to “harm” those close to me. But, do I always do good and right by them?

“²⁷Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. ²⁸Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’–when you have it with you. ³⁰Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.” – Proverbs 3:27-28 & 30 (ESV)

I am guilty of not always being generous with my neighbor when they ask. I have made excuses and then avoided them for the sake of not helping out. I did not seek out to harm, but by not offering my assistance in their time of need, I caused harm to them anyway. Now I am not saying that I consciously and always take that action, but I have done it in the past and for that I am as guilty as seeking to harm them in some way.

It is up to me not to take any action that might harm my neighbors, whether in proximity or relational. I have to be the better person and work to be the light of Christ that they are able to see daily. I have to put others before me and allow God to do His work in their lives and through me. I cannot be harmful to them by either intention or omission, for each are of the same negative value to them. I have to plan to do good by my neighbors.

When it comes to others, what plans do you make to help or not harm them? Are you willing to put others before yourself in the name of Christ? What would it be like if you planned to do good by your neighbors?

I am sure that most of us have heard the statement, “You get what you pay for”. In other words, if you want quality, it comes at a premium. Well, I read this morning and was reminded that you get what you plan for as well.

I have been studying the word “plans” and was led this morning to Isaiah 32.

“⁶For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the LORD, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink. ⁷As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil; he plans wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right. ⁸But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.” – Isaiah 32:6-8 (ESV)

In the verses above, I see that each of those described actually plan. And each of them will get what they plan for. Whether ungodliness, evil, or noble things, that which is planned and focused will be accomplished.

As a follower of Christ, I choose to do those things that are glorifying and pleasing to God and as such should be planning those things out. Like, my morning Bible study and sharing of my thoughts. I plan for this each and every weekday, whether here in the comfort of my home or when traveling. I bring with me all I need to continue learning and growing in my walk with Christ.

I believe that people as a whole do not plan to do thing that are not pleasing to God, but what I do believe that people do not plan to do things that are. Without the planning of things that are pleasing to God, the likelihood of those things happening are limited, as I come back to the title of my thoughts here; “You Get What You Plan For”.

When you begin your day or week, what are you planning for? What plans can you make to be pleasing to God? What if you took the approach that you get what you plan for?

I am one of those planners. The one that maps out the route before leaving. The one that keeps a list so as not to forget something. The one that asks for help when something is not making sense. And as a planner, I feel as though I am prepared for things that may come up that to others may seem a catastrophe, but for me is just a deviation from the original plan.

How do I get there, I take the time in the beginning to work as much out as possible to be sure that the big stones I see get turned over to see what is lurking underneath. To a good number of those around me, I am perceived as overly analytical and thinking too much where they are more in the doer phase and take things as they come. Mine and their approach may be different, and we may reach the finish line at roughly the same time, the energy expended and needed are drastically different, not to mention the continuity of the plan itself.

“¹⁸Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. ²¹And inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.” – Proverbs 20:18 & 21 (ESV)

God performs His work in His time and as I have been a part of, that time is much slower than I really like. Whereas I am a planner and prefer to take things slow with all of the information I can gather, God goes even slower. I get so frustrated when things are not proceeding as I have planned and the waiting on God is really tough.

But, what I have also found is that when God’s plan is finally realized and completed, things work out for the absolute best, every time. He knows how much each of us can take on and just how long we can wait on Him. Our job is to work with Him on those plans to relieve the stress of what to do next in our plan. When we do the work up front and prepare properly with the counsel of God and take our time as God does, won’t our plans work out, every time? Our best plans are those that are worked out and take time to fully develop.

What is your approach to tasks of the day? What planning are you doing around those things in your life? What if you were to take the time to work it out ahead of time and align with God?

“²²Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” – Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)

This verse is such a simple one, I have to ask why it is that at times I choose to still make plans on my own. I am the data, thinking, planning type of person and look for inanimate details to make decisions on a regular basis. I research, and review, and map out just about everything until I get to the point that I am in full understanding of the details to make the plans that best fit the situation. Yet, I always seem to miss something and plans go awry.

When I take all that time and effort looking into things, it seems as though I may be missing a piece, discussing and understanding other perspectives. My view is not always the best view. I am only seeing that which I am looking for and neglect to look for those things that may be just outside the circle.

This verse in Proverbs advises to use the counsel of others in order to “succeed”. I have to remember to seek others advice prior to taking action on the plans I have devised. Looking for the counsel of others will have an eye opening effect on the plans and the decisions that are there to be made.

I must also seek the counsel of the right group or people. I have to be sure that I am not just seeking out those that will go along with my plans. I have to seek out those that will. I have to seek out those that are headed the same direction as well as though that are not. The counsel is to gain more perspective and make the plans to succeed, not to complete.

I do not always have to do all that someone asks or advises, they are just counsel. But, I do have to listen and consider the counsel of others and weigh their perspective against the plans to be sure that I am taking the action that has has the best chance of success. And, give credit where it is due and own the error when things don’t go as planned.

The best plans are those that honor and glorify God, and for that to happen I must be plugged into others that have that goal in mind. When I am in alignment with God’s plans, my plans will be a success.

When you look at how you plan, are you going it alone? What if you sought the counsel of others? Wouldn’t you plans be best if worked with counsel and in line with God?

As I study the word “plans” I am reminded that it is not my plans that are granted, but God’s.

“¹⁰The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. ¹¹The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. ¹²Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chose as his heritage!” – Psalm 33:10-12 (ESV)

My plans are important, to me. As I go through this world, my plans have value, but that value may not be in line with the plans that God has in store for me or those I come in contact with. Not everyone is here to change the lives of millions. Not everyone is given the task of traveling to far off countries to take the gospel. Some of us are tasked with serving our neighborhood. Some are here to impact the lives of their church community. Some are here to be the positive beacon in the area they live.

I struggle with knowing what it is God has in store for me. I do my bible study in the mornings and post my thoughts here out of obedience to Him. I am not sure who I am reaching and to some degree that disappoints me. But that is what I am referring to here. It does not matter if I am able to see or feel the impact. God knows where my impact is and that to me should be all that matters. As long as I am doing the work of God, I am making the impact He has for me to make.

I must be gracious and giving of myself for the plans of God and when I do, I am blessed beyond belief. And to go along with that blessing, it is up to me to realize that blessing comes from God as reward for carrying out the plans He has for me.

“²²Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” – Psalm 33:22 (ESV)

At every turn, it is my duty to thank God for all that I have and all that He provides as I travel this world doing His work.

As you look out today, are you looking to fulfill your plans or those of God? When you do not get your way, how are you taking it? What if you were simply to focus on God’s plans and not your own?

What a concept of God fulfilling for each of us each thing that we ask for and all the plans we have in place. Here in the 20^th chapter of Psalm one can even see the statement as such.

“⁴May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!” – Psalm 20:4 (ESV)

But is God in the business of granting all for me? He is not. What He is in the business of granting is that which glorifies and furthers His plans for us. And that is where it gets tricky for us to understand.

I have a good number of things that I plan for, a big bank account, comfortable lifestyle, vacation time with the family, and a number of other things that in my view are not selfish or self aggrandizing. The thing is do those fit into the plans that God has for me and my family. Is the bank account there for helping others? Does the comfortable lifestyle mean a million dollar house? Does vacation time with the family have to been at a tropical island?

For God, He is looking for us to glorify Him and spread the gospel. When my focus is on me and not Him, I drift away from my purpose here in this world. I should be sure that I do everything so my plans are in line with God’s plans, and when that is the case, He will grant my plans to be fulfilled.

When you profess your plans, are you in line with God’s plans? What if you were to focus your attention on God’s plans and not your own? What would fulfillment of God’s plans look like in the fulfillment of your own plans?

I have been studying the word “light” for the past few weeks and as I have reached the last chapter in the book of Revelation, I am reminded emphatically that the Light of God is forever.

“⁵And night will be no more. The will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” – Revelation 22:5 (ESV)

As a follower of Christ, I have inherited the kingdom, and that inheritance has granted me the kingship. Once a king, always a king. I will reign forever in heaven, not over heaven, but in heaven.

In order for that forever to take place, God has removed all of the things that could cause demise, as mentioned in the commentary of my ESV Bible: “Guilt, strife, struggle for survival, sickness, sorrow, and death. He has provided life eternal through the river of the water of life and the tree of life.

“¹Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb ²through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kings of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.” – Revelation 22:1-3 (ESV)

All of our provision have been taken care of by God. He has given us “back” those that were taken away in the beginning as a result of Adam’s sin. God has restored the utopia he created for man, me, that he created in His own image. We, as we reign in heaven, are there forever in the light of God that radiates throughout.

What does your afterlife look like if you were to take a good look today? Would you be covered in the light shone from God? Would you be reigning in heaven forever and ever in the light?