One of the most common verses referenced on graduation cards is Jeremiah 29:11 – “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…” What a great verse of hope, that the creator of the universe has good plans for us . . . if only we will pursue them.
Of course, we have many plans of our own. We have plans that distract us from God’s presence and keep us from even thinking about Him most the day. We have plans that go against God’s will that we justify as not being “too bad.” We make happiness our life goal instead of the real joy found in enjoying God more than anything else. We have plans we think serve Him even though they aren’t necessarily His best plans for us.
Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew probably had plans to make a good living as fishermen. Then along comes Jesus who says, “Come, follow me and I will send you out to fish for people. At once they left their nets and followed him.” James and John were also out fishing, in a boat with their father. Jesus called them and they immediately left their boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18-22) There was no discussion. They didn’t say, “Wait until I raise enough money to go on your journey.” They didn’t ask, “Will I be able to live at the same level of comfort that I currently enjoy?” They didn’t even ask Jesus where they were going. All they knew was that their encounter with Jesus compelled them to change their plans and follow him.
Following Jesus requires change. He may require us to change priorities. Instead of being obsessed with the news, sports, finance, or any other list of things, Jesus calls us to adjust our day to focus on him. He may require us to change our lifestyle. The rich young ruler found it unacceptable to give up his riches in order to follow Jesus. It wasn’t the riches that were the problem but his obsession with wealth and comfort that stood in the way of following Jesus.
Following Jesus requires us to adjust our plans to his, not trying to fit his plans into ours. It may be as ‘simple’ as switching our movie and TV viewing habits, the words we use when we’re angry, or even the things we let frustrate us.
Following Jesus might cause us to rethink our giving. Instead of thinking a 10% tithe is our goal, maybe he would have us think of it as a beginning. After all, if our life goal is to follow Jesus, shouldn’t we use all our resources for that purpose?
Following Jesus might require leaving our comfort zone. James and John left their home, their family, their livelihood, and life ambitions and goals. Why? Because God had a better plan for them. His plans always reflect His character of love, mercy, justice, goodness. His plans always reflect his purpose to draw us and others closer to him and to each other. In fact Jesus summed these up as the ‘greatest commandments’ – to love God fully and to love others as ourselves. Isn’t everything else really just following our own plans?
There’s nothing wrong with making a living and enjoying the life God gave us. But the question is, are we following our own plans and asking God to adjust to them or are we adjusting our lives so we can follow his good plans for us?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
