Skip to main content

Collision with Reality


I once heard a consultant say something to the extent that no plan can survive a collision with reality.  It was almost an odd thing to say since consultants often spend a lot of time helping their clients develop plans.  So why plan, then, if the plans can’t survive!

But it actually made sense, once an explanation was given.  The consultant indicated that as the organization’s plans are implemented, they face reality and reality includes changing needs.  Changing needs require a willingness to adjust direction and a flexibility to adapt.  There must also even be a willingness to abandon a plan if it isn’t working.  It almost sounded Biblical!  Allow me to explain…

Solomon once wrote that “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9).

A Psalmist wrote:  “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him.  For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.  The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples.  But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:8-11)

God’s plans prevail.  That’s reality.  While it is entirely normal and even wise for us to make plans and endeavor to implement them, we must also remain flexible.  We must be willing to change directions or even abandon our plans entirely.  As God’s plans unfold, we need to adjust in such a way that we remain in step with His plans.  Otherwise, we will likely find ourselves out of touch with what He is doing.

To put it all in a Biblical perspective then, no human plan can survive a collision with God’s plans.  But even more importantly, God’s plans and purposes prevail all of the time and they will stand forever.  That’s something we can really plan on!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Little Words, Big Impact

Sometimes we get caught up in the big words and that certainly has its place.   But, sometimes I think I appreciate the little words even more.   These are one or two or three letters words that can have big meaning and big impact. Take the word “I”.   It is a pronoun that often is used to identify the one who might be communicating.   The communication could be something like “I love you” or “I forgive you” or “I will do that.”   Meaning and impact from a word with just one letter! Take the word “no”.   It can put a stop to things. For example, you could have what you think is a really great idea but if you receive a no, your great idea comes to a screeching halt.   Meaning and impact from a word with just two letters! Take the word “yes”.   It can set things in motion.   For example, perhaps you are in love with that certain special person and you ask that question and they say yes.   Big things are set into motion and yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Double Entendre

Double entendre:   a word or expression used so that it can be understood in two ways.   For example: Seriously struggle with sin : 1.   Some people seriously struggle with sin.   That is, they see how easily sin entangles and they take their struggle with sin seriously and overcome it. 2.   Some people seriously struggle with sin.   That is, sin easily entangles them and they have serious struggles with sin and they never seem to overcome it. The example is not just theoretical, it is real.   And it is likely that many of us have experienced both over the course of our lives.   But whatever you have experienced, I have some more double entendres that follow a bad news/good news format: 1.   Sin is costly .   The cost is spiritual death.   But we have a Savior who paid the cost with His own life so that we can live spiritually. 2.   Sin has consequences . The consequence of sin is eternal separatio...
Post a Comment
Read more

Flee From/Flee To

If you are going to flee, do it right! What?   Give me a chance to explain! But first, let’s land on what it might mean to flee.   To flee is to run away from a place or situation of danger or evil.   It also means to hurry toward a place of safety. So, here are some possible explanations: 1.   Flee when God tells you: Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt , and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”  (Matt 2:13)   2.   But don’t try to flee from God: But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord . He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord .  (Jonah 1:3)     3.   Flee from danger: For they have fled from the ...
Post a Comment
Read more