For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
This month in our bible study we have been discussing the season of Advent which literally means “coming” or “arrival”, from its roots in the Latin word adventus, is celebrated the four Sundays before Christmas. Advent is the liturgical season that precedes Christmas, during which Christians patiently and hopefully await the Nativity of the Lord. In the passage before us Isaiah prophesies about Jesus coming to save humankind and the role that our Savior would carry out in the life of people. When we think about Christ coming into the world various things come to mind, but the one thing that has arrested my interest is proper planning. Before the manifestation we heard the prophets speak about it, yet before they spoke God had to frame it and speak it to them. There was proper planning that took place before Mary was carrying the baby in the womb, before Joseph would encounter this dream, or before the inn was full.
What does proper planning look like in your life? Before you execute anything what type of planning occurred prior to it? Can I suggest that one of the greatest downfalls in life is attempting to see successful results without proper planning. It’s amazing we plan parties, weddings, concerts, baby showers, dinners, etc. yet some of us won’t take the time to develop a plan for our life. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps”. I believe one of the reasons we struggle in work, relationships, and ministries is because we lack planning. Please recognize that spontaneity has its proper place but if God planned, what makes us exempt from planning, and God is omniscient. As we finish 2023 and walk into 2024 let’s have a strategy, stop just freelancing into every year without a plan. What are your short term and long-term goals? Unfortunately, too many have been guilty of not planning in life and it has cost others in their death. Proper planning never hurts!