Calculating Without God

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Prov. 19:21.

When my father-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago, my husband and I put into place a long laundry list of “to-do’s” to re-establish him and his wife nearby. We enlisted the best medical specialists, found them a great community for their remaining years, and for the most part had them resettled and positioned for the future. It was much like the way parents look into the future and determine the needs of their precious ones. As parents or children, we desire to see our loved ones successful and joyful.

The LORD had other plans for my in-laws as well as me and Bruce. What we had determined was a plan of action for the future, God determined was a plan of action for a season. Suddenly and abruptly they moved back to their home in Boone and have decided to live there for the remainder of their lives.

When I look back and see all of the sacrifices and adjustments we made for the plans we had for my in-laws, I see that God knew that could only be for a season. Like all seasons, the landscape changes, the temperatures fluctuate and we must be flexible to move in and out of these seasons as God changes them. If our plans do not align with God’s they will not prevail. Even if our plans do align with His there is no guarantee that as the winds shift the plans will remain unchanged.

To prevail is to triumph, to overcome and to reign. Any purpose that is our Father’s will is going to triumph and succeed those that we tuck securely in our heart. If we hold too tightly to the plans we have for ourselves or our family, God may lovingly but firmly remove those plans from your life.

“For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future”. Jer. 29:11.

He sees where our plans lead and will thwart any plans we have if we are “calculating without God.”