So what’s the plan?
People carry on living, doing what they’re doing, and going along with someone else’s plan. Often thinking they’re going with their own plan, and that’s a lovely notion until it’s all stripped back to see who’s really running the show.
It takes the mercy and grace of God to reach the place of humility and acknowledge that we don’t have a clue and we could do with a plan. We’re not necessarily given the whole story by God, but He can give us an idea, an idea that becomes a plan. How do we engage with this situation? We ask God, and the Holy Spirit is at hand to guide us, direct us, and point the way. This is the wonderful gift God gives us: the Spirit of Counsel.
Realising our tendency to veer off into our own thing is very healthy. That’s why the word of instruction is so vital: it tells us not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge the Lord in all we do. We can have our plans; they’re much better when we map them out in consultation, relying totally on the Spirit of Counsel. From the plan for the day to the big picture of what we want to do with life, it’s great to know that God is right there to take that on and reveal to us over time, step-by-step, what He has for us, what next step we take and what we’re here for.
Independence is highly applauded in some circles. Stand up on your own, be able to do things all by yourself. This is not how a follower of Christ lives. That aspect of reliance is seen when we know that the bigger picture says there’s a war going on, a war in the spiritual realm, a war for the soul, a war that is not won by independence. This war is won when we know who the General is, when we know the strategy He’s outlined for victory and when we know He’s got the tactics to help us in every given situation. This war is won inside as we receive His counsel and see how much better it is to trust in Him.
Thank God that He doesn’t leave it to us to figure everything out by ourselves. Thank God that His Holy Spirit is ever offering counsel, advice, guidance and direction along the paths of righteousness. That’s the plan.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
