“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” —Proverbs 16:3
It has been quipped that everyone who bought a 2020 planner definitely wasted their money. And if you’d been brave enough to make any plans for 2021, you’ve likely had to adjust them radically, if not throw them out. Unexpected events are sometimes called “black swans”, and COVID has been a giant one.
God, in contrast, “works out all things in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). He has a perfect plan for history. Nothing takes him by surprise.
No unexpected event can derail his plans, because to him, no event is unexpected.
Knowing the God who is in charge of history provides us with the key to making plans and doing them in the face of uncertainty. Proverbs 16:3 says literally “Roll your works onto the Lord”. It is very physical imagery, isn’t it? The image of “rolling” onto God means that our plans should all be made prayerfully in the light of God’s revealed grand plans, and carried out in the trust that he will use them for his glory.
No plan of ours is too big or too small to be “rolled onto the Lord”.
It is very satisfying to see a plan come to fruition. As I think on ministry plans we have made and executed in the last few years, I am grateful to God that he has blessed the plans we made for some new things such as establishing our Kids’ Club three years ago, the Carols picnic event we held last Christmas and the new ESL group this year. And it continues to be satisfying to see our new roof taking shape!
However, the promise of Scripture is not that our plans will turn out exactly the way we expected. Rather, what we plan and do in faith (rolled onto God) he will take and use for his glory.
Father, you know that it is not easy for us to make plans and do them in such uncertain times. But you are still working out your perfect plan. Thank you that nothing derails your plans. Guide us to make our plans in the light of what you have revealed to us. Establish our plans, we pray, for your glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
—
Rev Andrew Schmidt
Rector
stjudesrandwick.org.au
