Plans for 2018

Happy NEW year! As we take our first steps into 2018, I wonder if like me you have plans for this year? Places you plan on visiting and things you plan on achieving? A plan is an intention or decision we make about something we want to do. The chances are that if we don’t plan we will not do, we will not go, we will not live life to our fullest. I enjoy being spontaneous, but if I want to achieve something then I tend to plan.  
 
My plans don’t always work out the way I intend, yet that has not stopped me planning (and sometimes they work out better than I could have imagined).  You see, I think I know my limits and my capacity but then there is God who really knows me.  I have dreams but I am sure His dreams for me are greater because He believes in me and He knows me better than I know myself.  So, I see the challengers in life as moments of learning and stretching where resilience is being built.
 
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans’- Woody Allen.  Well, you see often my plans come out of the time I spend with God and I don’t believe God laughs at our plans.  Sure, we don’t know what the future holds from one moment to the next but I know who holds my life and future in His hands – God.  I believe God goes before His children, it doesn’t mean the road is going to be easy or less challenging, just because someone loves God or believes in Jesus.  Yet, there is a peace and comfort that one is not alone and each step can be taken with courage and confidence because of God who is with us.  I am sure God has laughed at some of my plans, just as when I hear my kids make plans. I laugh because I know that they will be coming to me or their dad for assistance to ensure their plans are made possible.
 
Don’t fill your life with things that keep you busy, rather plan your days where you can; be productive.  Look at the things you have a desire to achieve.  Before you plan, I encourage you take time out in your day to sit, to meditate, to reflect to ‘Be’. When our doing comes out of our being; we plan better and achieve more.
 
Have you considered keeping a record of your plans and marking them off each day.  Have you considered writing each day what you are grateful; one in the morning when you wake up and one at night before you go to sleep.  As with each year, you have 365 pages you can fill that outline 52 plans that you have made, 12 chapters that you can tell your story.  What will the title of 2018 be?  If you were to pick a title now for your book of life for 2018 will it be different when you turn the page on the 31/12/2018? 
 
This year choose to live life knowing you are a beloved child of the God. Make plans with confidence and courage that as you plan with God, He will direct your steps as you commit your plans into His will.