I have it all worked out.

My plan is flawless. Lord, all that needs to happen is this…

Absurd, right?

And yet how many times have I effectively thought that, despite what I was willing to admit out loud?

How many times have I assessed a situation; a problem, or a desired outcome, and instead of seeking the Lord’s will and affirming to Him in prayer my trust in HIS plan and submission to HIS providence, have I instead run all the various scenarios in my mind and determined, if x happens, then y can take place, oh, and I just need c, d, and e to fall into the right place at the right time.

See, there you go, God, problem is solved. You just have to follow my plan. 

While I’d never say that last line out loud, that is essentially what my actions and my thoughts are saying.

I have a plan, God just needs to get on board with it.

And often, I’ve reached my perfect conclusion before I even realize what I am doing. I allow myself to talk to myself (instead of talking to God) and my thoughts are already down that rabbit hole before I recognize my sin of arrogance and delusion of self reliance.

In my sane moments, I would never presume to know better than the Lord.

But sin is sneaky. It doesn’t present itself as this wicked option that questions God’s goodness — instead it presents itself as wise, logical, responsible.

My plans always appear so wise to myself.  And logically, they are the absolute best option.  And, of course, by being so proactive, I am being responsible; I’m not presuming upon the Lord’s kindness, but am instead working diligently towards what I deem a right and good outcome.
In reality, I am questioning God’s care for my life because instead of praying, and waiting upon the Lord, I am trusting in myself to know what is best. I am questioning God’s wisdom, as if any plan I could ever concoct would ever hold a candle to the wisdom of the Lord. I am failing to trust in His timing for my life, assuming the straight line from A to B that I had planned is best; discounting the real possibility that my destination may require a much longer time table and many more twists, turns and disappointments than I would ordain for myself.

Sure, I need to seek wisdom  – but that comes from the Word and from godly counsel, not from my own head.

Yes, I should strive to be logical – that is sure better than illogical, but it must be in submission to what God chooses to do, which often does not appear logical from this side of things.

And absolutely, I should never presume upon God’s kindness, but I can rest in it. I am to be diligent and hard working, all the while knowing, trusting, believing and clinging to the reality that God is the one in control of ALL things, and HE will work out His own purposes, despite my best wisdom and logic.

So, Lord, I do have a plan, but you guide my steps – therefore I will seek to hold onto my plan loosely, as you direct the path that you have for me to take.