Planning: Making a Name for Yourself or Making His Name Great!
Planning is essential to life. If we don't plan, we will waste our minutes, our days...our lives. Number your days wisely because the days are evil. They are short and Satan looks for every opportunity to distract you.
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
- Luke 14:28
Jesus was a carpenter and I am sure he didn't just wing it. There was some forethought. Should we plan or should we not?!? Sometimes I like things planned and sometimes I like to just go with the flow...like on a vacation or on a date. There is a season for everything. Same goes for planning. But one thing is for sure...”The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
We might have an idea of what the Lord wants to do in and through us but left to our own fleshly desires, we will mess it up every time. We must re-evaluate often to make sure our hearts haven’t strayed. The thing is, we all are created for greatness. But our flesh wants to make a name for ourselves instead of making His name great!!!
Let's talk about the Babylonians for a sec. They decided they wanted to make a tower to reach the heavens. Now, the tower was not the problem. I am sure God was pleased with the Babylonians using their talents and resources to create something great. The problem was "why" they were building it. In Genesis 11:4 we see that the reason they were building the tower was so that they could "make a name for themselves." I think it is safe to say that they were not allowing God to direct their steps. Instead arrogance and pride got in their way. The same thing plaques us today.
When desiring to build a tower, we must first sit down and count the cost. In this case, it cost the Babylonians their purpose. The Babylonians language was confused and the tower was never completed. When we don't harness our gifts and talents to make God's name great our purpose will be frustrated.
The same is true when living out our purpose. God has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and stories to make His name great. But when we start to "make a name for ourselves" He will frustrate that plan. Our goal is to be good stewards of all that God has given us and utilizing them to live wisely (according to the work He prepared in advance for us to do). The cost of following Jesus...renounce all that you have (Luke 14:33). Unclenched fists and open palms. Humbly acknowledging that everything that you have comes from above. We brought nothing into this world and will take nothing with us. Everything that has been given is a gift. Make wise choices as you disperse Gods resources back out into the world to display His glory.
Look around you. What are the needs you see? There is a hurting world all around us. And the crazy thing is...God has equipped you and me to meet those needs. That is the mystery. God uses His people to reach a dying nation to turn their hearts back to God. Part of reflecting God's glory is becoming the men and women God has created us to be.
My vision for 2020! A year spent making God’s name great! A year empowering women to harness their greatness and have a powerful a irresistible influence in the lives of others as they utilize their gifts, talents, ambition and entrepreneural vigor to display God’s glory!
What is yours?
Commit your way to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
- Proverbs 16:3
