No one enters upon a satisfactory course what we must do in order to reach our of action without a plan of some kind. It is necessary for each individual to determine just where he wants to go and how he is going to get there. There are many who want to reach a certain goal but feel that it is unnecessary to have a definite plan. They merely hope that somehow everything will turn out all right. But unless a person has a clear-cut idea of the thing he wishes to do and how he will go about it, it is unlikely that he will ever arrive at his destination.
The Bible contains many examples of God’s people who overcame great obstacles by following a certain course. Jesus died in the prime of life, yet He accomplished what He set out to do. History also gives many accounts of men who contributed much to civilization in a comparatively short time.
The plans of God’s children must be formed in agreement with Scriptural commandments. Then we will know exactly what we must do in order to reach our destination, which is the kingdom of God. If we seek the Lord’s guidance in all things, then our actions will be such that our light will shine forth in this dark and troubled world. We may never be called upon to face a giant as did David, or to meet a martyr’s fate as did many Christians in Bible times. But we know that in the last days before the return of Christ there will be such trouble as the world has never known, so we should prepare ourselves now.
For good planning a person needs a proper sense of values. Success is not determined by the attainment of money or material things, although there are times when these seem to be all important. But as we look closer, we begin to see that intangible things such as faith and hope are of much greater value in the race for our goal, eternal life. When there is a conflict of values, lack of harmony develops. We cannot serve God and mammon. Many today are endeavoring to do this, with the result that they never attain either spiritual or material success.
There is a story of a man who, many years ago, obtained thirteen college degrees and died with many honors at a ripe old age. But he never used this knowledge for the betterment of mankind, so what use was it to himself or to anybody else? Thus it is with us, God’s called out ones. We may have the wisdom of Solomon, but if we never apply it, it will never make us or those about us any better. We will contribute nothing to civilization or to God’s cause.
What then is a good plan to follow? The very best plan is to follow the Lord’s instructions in Matthew, Chapter 6 Verse 33.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” If we truly put God first in our lives we will plan everything with Him in mind. “Whether therefore we eat, or drink, or whatsoever we do, do all to the glory of God.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One