New Year’s resolutions abound at this time of year, largely because we like being in control of our lives and want to be prepared for all that may await us in the future. However, in all our planning and resolving, sometimes we leave God out. James reminds us (James 4:13-15) that all our plans, dreams and aspirations should be made with God in sight, for God has good plans for each one of us (Jer 29:11), with His purposes lasting through all generations. (Ps 33:11) What counts is the fact that He has a plan for all of creation (Rom 8:19-22) and His plan is that all things should be reconciled to Him. (Col 1:19-20)
God’s plans are intricate and He is infinitely capable not only of having a ‘general overview’ of what needs to be done, but also dealing with the tiny details, unlike an army general who has to delegate to subordinates the ‘nitty-gritty’ of war plans. Jer 1:4-5 reminds us of God’s foreknowledge; He know us and appoints us (and has dealt even with hostile rulers such as Pharaoh or Cyrus, raising them up to serve His plans.) God has a path planned for each one of His children, good works for which we were created (Eph 2:10) It’s easy for us to drift through life with no aims or purposes, but life with God should be more purposeful than this.
In the world, we see people whose lives are focussed and determined, such as the man who sold his house and everything he owned in order to be able to participate in the Dakar Rally. We, however, are striving for a crown that will last forever (1 Cor 9:25) and have been promised an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (1 Pet 1:4) Our lives should be committed wholeheartedly to God, for God’s plans for us are perfect.
Sometimes, we fear the unknown and worry about the future, fretting over God’s plans for our lives. We may not hear ‘new directions’ every day, but can rest assured that God is able to speak to us when He wants us to turn to the left or to the right (Is 30:21), and in the meantime, should carry on walking straight ahead on the path God has set for us. At times, this involves waiting for God to speak again, and waiting is always a bitter lesson for us. God’s plan for our lives can be challenging, but we are urged not to worry about tomorrow (Matt 6:34), for God is our helper who remains faithful forever. (Ps 146:4-6) Just like the stepping stones at Bolton Abbey, we may not always see farther than the next step, but we can trust the One who holds our futures in His hands and who leads us one step at a time…
