Planning is powerful. Below are some reflections on the value of planning and to encourage prayerful action in life and ministry before the Lord.

◦ Planning glorifies God. Our God is worthy of excellence and effort. We cannot be perfect, but we can progress to become all God desires for our life and resources He provides. Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

◦ Planning promotes love for others. When we try to accomplish tasks or purposes on our own, then we often err with pride. Short cutting planning not only misses opportunity to glorify God, but misses opportunities to care for those whom God intersects in our path. Further, it promotes pride by belittling the involvement of others. Proverbs 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 20:18 “Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.”

◦ Planning indicates commitment. The most notable traits of a leader or worker is if they are available and teachable. The moment one neglects learning is the moment the individual and the organization stops growing. The commitment to ongoing learning and planning provides you a sustainable competitive advantage. Besides, even success creates new challenges to be overcome.

◦ Planning proves effort. The old adage: failing to plan is planning to fail. If one is not reaching its goals and dreams but not putting effective time in planning, then it is difficult to understand what sort of effort is actually provided. Besides prayer, planning is a first action step to accomplish one’s desires. If desires are not matched with discipline, then they often remain only dreams. Preparation and planning creates a foundation for the structure you seek to build.

◦ Planning protects against distraction. It is easy to drift away from mission and purpose. Yet, planning helps to keep focus and protect against innumerable urgent tasks that are not priority, that when added up create serious hindrance and harm.

◦ Planning provides flexibility and adaptability. Some minimize the value of planning, claiming they are “Spirit-led,” or pointing to the reality little goes according plan. However, these claims miss the purpose of planning. The point of a plan is not a perfect plan but a prepared planner. Effective planning prepares for multiple circumstances or changes that may occur. One can be led by the Spirit just as sincerely and meaningfully, if not in some cases more than a spontaneous worker.

◦ Planning must lead to practice. If all the information does not lead to implementation and transformation, then the planning process is incomplete. There must be accountability for action steps in every area of the plan.

Some Added Resources:

Planning and Proverbs: Our way before God: https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2015/03/01/life-in-proverbs-my-way-before-god/

Renovate with Clarified Purpose https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2020/02/17/renovate-with-clarified-purpose-nehemiah-3-4/

Knowing God’s Will 1) https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2019/04/28/here-to-there-knowing-the-will-of-god-romans-121-2/ 2) https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2019/05/05/questions-for-convictions-romans-14/ 3) https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2019/05/08/seeking-sighs/ 4) https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2019/05/13/gods-will-around-fools-1-samuel-25/ 5) https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2019/05/21/gods-will-is-to-be-wise-1kings-3/