The Amplified Bible says this verse a little differently (Have I said how I love the clarity having the original languages translated into their full meaning brings? I really do!).
“Many plans are in a man’s mind,
But it is the LORD’S purpose for
him that will stand (be carried out).”
You know, we start making plans as children with our dreams of what we want to be when we grow up. We begin to play at that role. If we’re really serious as we grow older, we make our plans for college or trade school and move toward that dream.
If we’re buying a house, we determine the area we prefer to live in and research schools and driving time and neighborhoods. We figure out our budget and go forth in our plans.
Sometimes those plans go awry. Maybe we don’t get to go to the school we wanted – maybe not able to attend school at all. Maybe we get in the middle of training only to learn that we really don’t like this field, we want to do something else.
Sometimes we make choices that cause our planned future to take a different tack. We get married, we walk in addiction, we move away – so many choices could cause those plans to be put on the back burner, and maybe completely off the stove.
The thing is, y’all, God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. Every one of us. You didn’t get left out. He has one specifically for you.
And it will prevail. The dictionary says that means “to be greater in strength or influence; to be predominant; to triumph.”
God’s purpose for you is greater in strength and influence than your plans for you.
When we choose to follow our own ways, we may find success, but when we choose to follow God’s plans for us, success finds us. It may not look like the success you expected, but it will be beyond your wildest imagination. It will be vastly better than what you expected simply because you chose God over you.
Let’s ask God today what His purpose is for us. Let’s be relentless in our pursuit of that answer. Then when we know our purpose, let’s go after it with every ounce of our being.
Mark Twain said the two most important days in our lives is the day we’re born and the day we find out why. Let’s learn our why and live in it!
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
