Having been part of a research group for an eBook that is being written on the \u201ctheology of planning,\u201d I am answering seven questions about planning that the author posed to us. Because of the length, I\u2019m sharing my thoughts in three posts.<\/p>
You can find the original post here<\/a> and my answers in Part 1 here<\/a>. I encourage you to share your own thoughts in the comments.<\/strong><\/em> Depending on what is being planned, it could be either. Some plans are very simple and don\u2019t require anyone else, while others certainly do. A good principle to follow is: the wider the influence of the thing being planned, the more necessary the planning (and probably people).<\/p> \u201cPlans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance.\u201d<\/em> Proverbs 20:18<\/strong><\/p> \u201cWith regard to our brother Apollos: I strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was simply not his intention to come now. He will come when he has the opportunity.\u201d<\/em> 1 Corinthians 16:12<\/strong><\/p> Yes, absolutely. Plans can change for many reasons. Even when we seek wisdom from God, since we are finite, and God does not give direct revelation outside the Scriptures, we are bound to make plans that do not happen the way we thought they should. It could be as simple as the ticket booth running out of tickets for our show, or a major event having to be cancelled at the last minute.<\/p> The important thing in light of changed plans is to evaluate if there was something we could have done differently that would have either warned us to the potential for change or made the change not happen at all.<\/p> The life of the apostle Paul is full of plans that changed for one reason or another.<\/p> \u201cI do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often intended to come to you (and was prevented until now), so that I may have some fruit even among you, just as I already have among the rest of the Gentiles.\u201d<\/em> Romans 1:13<\/strong><\/p> \u201cThis is the reason I was often hindered from coming to you. But now there is nothing more to keep me in these regions, and I have for many years desired to come to you when I go to Spain. For I hope to visit you when I pass through and that you will help me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. But now I go to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia are pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do this, and indeed they are indebted to the Jerusalem saints. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things. Therefore after I have completed this and have safely delivered this bounty to them, I will set out for Spain by way of you, and I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of Christ\u2019s blessing.\u201d<\/em> Romans 15:22-29<\/strong><\/p> They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this, so they passed through Mysia and went down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was standing there urging him, \u201cCome over to Macedonia and help us!\u201d After Paul saw the vision, we attempted immediately to go over to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.<\/em> Acts 16:6-10<\/strong><\/p>
<\/p>3. Is planning the work of one person or many people?<\/h4>
4. Do plans change?<\/h4>
5. How do we distinguish a plan from God from a plan developed outside of God\u2019s wisdom and inspiration?<\/h4>