Each year when I was a school administrator I held a Teacher’s Orientation for new teachers and for those returning on staff. During one phase of the orientation I would stress the need for classroom preparation. "If you do not have a daily plan of what to do in class for each hour," I would tell the teachers, "the students will have a plan and it will be chaos." Planning is not something which is contrary to the Christian faith or to the work of the Holy Spirit. In fact, planning is the known will of God for planning is a reflection of one of God’s attributes. In the matter of worship the apostle Paul wrote under the direction of the Holy Spirit, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:40). Obviously God the Holy Spirit Himself does not want events to wait for the last moment. He wants "all things" to be done decently and in order not just some things.
Jesus Christ also placed great emphasis on planning for His whole life was given to a predetermined end, the cross. The Lord’s thoughts on the importance of planning is found in part by way of an illustration of another point, the cost of discipleship. Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
The value of planning of God the Holy Spirit and God the Son is a reflection of God the Father who is a God of order and design. The universe which displays God’s glory and handiwork is a universe of marvelous and orderly design. Imagine not knowing if the sun was going to rise tomorrow.
A casual reading of the Bible reveals God the Father’s insistence on order reflected by the number of times the phrase "in order" is used (30 x). There is always order in anything God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy is involved with be it creation, the building of the Tabernacle, the giving of the Law, the movement of the nation of Israel in the desert or worship.
God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit knows the future. Through thought and prayer and meditation the needs of His people will be met and planning will take nothing away from meeting those needs. The most flexibility is found in those who are most disciplined and organized. This fact is reflected in the ballerina and the athletes. Planning, discipline, order provides a basis for improvising and innovation. But the exception must not be the rule. Deviation from form is an exception not the rule.
I have noticed in visiting a plethora of homes how well ordered most seem to be. Great care and thought and preparation has gone into the yard, the furniture, the flower arrangements and every detail. Surely the work of God deserves as much forethought and planning as our homes.
There is spiritual and practical value in planning but in order to receive this blessing of God the mind of the Lord in this matter must be adjusted to. Those who plan are always glad they did.
Plan your work and work your plan. Plan ahead—it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark!
