“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
What do you want to be when you grow up? A question many of us hear as kids as we dream about our future, our careers, the very things we would be doing for a living. For myself, I told my parents I wanted to be a garbage truck driver. I figured, if they only pick up trash once a week, then I would only have to work one day a week and spend the rest with family! As I got older, my parents figured out one thing about me- this kid can talk! So maybe I should go into something more speaking oriented. The more I learned about myself and how God has wired me, I explored so many options: engineering, photography, cinematography, and child development. None of these would eventually become my path.
As I look back, I am amazed by all the times my mind has changed, the plans I made fell through, and the visions that I had for my life that did not come to fruition. Throughout our lives, we make these firm statements: “We’re going to do this”, “I want to experience that”, “This has to happen”. And then they vary and shift. This idea is no longer the greatest idea I have come up with. That plan did not pan out how I anticipated. Our plans begin to reflect the finite knowledge that we have with the limited wisdom and perspective that we have.
But this Proverb provides a hope in knowing that the only purpose that prevails is God’s. The purpose that remains true is the one coming from our all-knowing, all wise, perfect perspective, never foolish, never shifting, wonderful God Almighty. The same God who had a purpose in saving undeserving sinners like us for the very purpose of glorifying His name and living in relationship with Him that will last for eternity. His purpose and promises will prevail!
James 4:13-15 states “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
Don’t let the many plans of your flesh dictate your purpose. Seek the Lord to lead you, guide you, and direct you in accordance to His plans and purposes. And as you make plans in your life, may you yield your life to God and seek to glorify Him. And remember to thank Him. When our many plans fail, stray, and shift, we can have hope in knowing that His purpose will prevail.
