The best Laid plans…
The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. That is generally how we quote this somewhat popular saying when trying to convey that our plans (or any plans) are often interrupted or thrown into disarray by the occurrences of life. That saying has been around since November 1785 and was penned by Robert Burns. Burns was a Scottish poet that supposedly penned that line in response to a real-life occurrence. The story goes that Burns was plowing a field and, in the process, destroyed a mouse nest/home. Upon this happening he wrote the poem “To a Mouse, On Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough, November 1785.”
The actual line as written is “the best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” This terminology is a bit antiquated, and the meaning is as stated initially.
What does this have to do with God and the Bible? Everything.
It is normal and natural for us to make plans that have long-term benefits for our life. We carefully plan our purchases, finances, careers, education, and much more. Further, we will often have contingency plans in place should something happen with our primary plans. We want to control our life and ensure a path of comfort and relative peace and ease. To be clear, I believe God expects us to be good stewards of our life. He expects us to use wisely all that He has given us, inclusive of our finances, time, and talents. In that regard I believe planning is a good and proper thing. Proverbs 21:5 reads (in the ESV) “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
What are your plans? Better yet, are you living your plans for you, or God’s plans for you? Here is what I mean…our plans do not often allow for discomfort, or completely losing our “identity” to take on the identity Christ has for us in Him. I would venture to guess ALL of us has at some point lived our plans. Some of us may mature to the point of abandoning self and allowing God’s plan to fully be played out in our life. And if we do mature, it is through difficult situations in life that we would rather not face. You see, our plans will always be spoiled. God’s plan will never fail. We can be a man plowing a field, or a mouse building a nest, and life will interfere. But if we will abandon our plans, we can face a certain end! Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse about the plans of God for us and it reads “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
A few key points…it is God’s plan, not our plan, that is important! It is also critical to understand that God’s plan in this case involves years of living in a foreign land, as well as a lot of seeking with ALL your heart. God’s plan is not necessarily one of comfort, peace, and prosperity. God’s plan will, however, ensure an eternity of peace and joy.
Abandon your plans, follow God’s plan. It has eternal benefits that are unmatched!!!
Read Jeremiah 29:1-14. Plan and live where you are. Do not listen to the false prophets concerning immediate prosperity. Do seek after the Lord with all your heart. He WILL bring you to a good and expected end. God has good in store for you and plans for peace and hope! God knows…follow Him!