A Plan
In the beginning God created. He did it by a plan. He did not make man until there were trees, dry land, fish and animals. He is an orderly God.
With precise planning God sent forth his Son, born of woman, to be a Redeemer (Galatians 4:4). He did it by plan. Orderly.
“Do you think we should offer financial counseling classes in this community?” I asked a young man in the inner city near Hope Community Center.
“No,” he responded strongly.
I changed the subject -- asked him other questions. Then I became personal and talked about housing, rent rates, etc., in the community. He said he rented.
“I pay $450 cash per month,” he said. “The landlord insists on cash. He will not fix a broken window, repair, or paint, or anything. He just wants his money. If I don’t pay, I am out. No notice.”
“But why does he insist on such high rent for a tiny apartment?” I asked.
“My credit is bad. I did not have to pay a deposit. It was the only place I could find, and I have two kids,” he said.
I thought the time had come to repeat my question: “Do you feel that having classes on money management would be helpful?” I said.
“No,” he said even more strongly than the first time. “I don’t need anyone telling me what to do with money. I just need more of it.”
A man without a plan -- he did not realize that one way to have more money is to have a plan for the money he does have. “No plan” is disaster.
In fact, “no plan” is disaster even when money is not the issue. “No plan” is not the path to a dream. “No plan” is not the route that leads to success. “No plan” is destined to failure.
Noah built the Ark with a plan. Nehemiah built the walls of Jerusalem with a plan. Jesus developed disciples and set the Church in order by a plan. God created by a plan.
Few things are more dangerous than living without a plan. Failure to develop and implement a plan can lead to depression, financial disaster, emotional instability, loss of relationships, loss of joy of salvation, and failure to accomplish the divine mission ordained by your birth and life.
When life is past there will be those who have lived by a plan, and there will be those who have lived by “whatever.” Those who live by a plan will count a thousand successes. Those who live by “no plan” will not know success if it happens, because they did not plan for it and do not recognize it.
Even as I write this letter I think about precious volunteers who have been at church all day preparing for a drama. They are working a plan. It is a detailed plan. They are committed to present a drama Thursday through Sunday that will call those present to appreciate the message of Jesus’ birth in a greater way.
They have a plan. It is a plan of self-sacrifice and devotion; a plan filled with joy and beauty; a plan filled with songs and laughter. It is a plan that adds excitement to their lives, increases their faith, gives them reason to rejoice in the wonder of their own creation and joy of serving Jesus as their Lord.
Hope you have a plan. Hope you refuse to be drawn in to living a very carnal and selfish life that has no eternal value. No eternal investment returns.
Plan to spend time with Jesus this Christmas. Plan to keep your soul in quietness and peace. Plan to serve others. Plan to run well. Plan to finish well.
Much love—
Pastor Bare
Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”