MAKE A PLAN

For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts
of peace, and not of evil, to give
you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

Just think of all the things for which we make plans. Some of our planning requires extensive thought and action such as for weddings, extensive trips, family reunions, wedding or baby showers and even funerals. Some planning may not be quite as detailed such as grocery lists or to-do lists.

Even churches make extensive plans. There are choir cantatas, children's choir programs, Bible conferences, Teacher trainings, Discipleship trainings, VBS and on it goes. We are perhaps encouraged on an individual basis be a part of a personal Bible reading program which takes some planning on our part. Some churches organize days of prayer where members are encouraged to sign up for specific times they will take part in such special times.

Like it or not, we seem to be always planning something and plans can be very good. We get more accomplished when we make plans and carry them out. In my thinking about planning, which I think we tend to do as we approach an upcoming new year, something dawned on me a couple of weeks ago. I'm really ashamed to admit to it, but maybe some of my readers would have to admit to the conclusion I arrived at. In my 70 something years, I've never made a deliberate personal plan for spiritual growth in my own life. Let me explain.

I've taken part in prayer programs at a church, have been a part of a yearly read through the Bible and have tried to actively serve the Lord through my church and outside of it as well. I've had the church prayer lists, suggested Bible readings for the week found in some church bulletins and have worked on my Sunday school lessons. Boy, all of that sounds impressive but most of those things had to do with prompting by or participation with others. I feel I've often been as much a part of peer pressure as any teenagers who are accused of such.

At first, I thought of having a personal plan...my own plan...for my own spiritual growth. I appreciate the testimonies of great saints who have prayed at least six hours a day and some who read their Bibles through 6 times a year. We can learn and be enouraged by such folks but not to the point of trying to copy all we admiringly listen to. But God views you and me on a very individual basis. He knows what will and will not work for us in our spiritual growth. With three children in our home, I learned quickly that no two of them grew at the same rate of speed, liked all the same foods, or related to their parents in the same way. I didn't expect such...it would have seemed weird. One summer when our son was very young, I think we had to get new shoes for him 2 or 3 times. That doesn't mean we took the girls and did the same for them when it wasn't required.

Soooo, I'm in the process with my Father's help to think through a personal plan that works for me. I'm excited about it because I so long for a personal intimacy with my Father and He longs for that as well. I's weary of approaching this intimacy in a mechanical way. There's nothing intimate about anything mechanical. I'm tired of following Step 1, 2 and 3. It may mean doing some things the same or in a different way.

One thing that was a wonderful new thing for me starting in May was writing out Scripture. A wonderful friend of mine showed me this without her realizing it. I went to a computer app at www.swtblessings.com where one can find monthly day-by-day schedules that can be printed out. I bought a cheap notebook and follow the daily guidance of what I should write. This slows me down as I write the Scripture that is usually no more than 3-4 verses at a time and it pushes me to concentrate more on the Scriptures.

I have time in the Scriptures that personally fits me. I've started at least once a month to read just the red letters of the Gospels to hear Jesus' voice. That's such a blessing. If I am teaching, I spend sufficient time for study, but that isn't my main reading. I have for years loved reading five Psalms each day. I use the chapter pattern: 1-31-61-91-121 where I add 30 to the initial date. I reserve Psalm 119 for the 31^st.

Just recently, I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a nice small Bible for $5.00 that has big print. I am using this Bible for my personal reading, making not one single underline or mark in it. Such markings are reserved for my teaching Bibles. This way, when I open my Bible, there is nothing to catch my eye and distract me. God can speak and I can hear Him in a more personal way. I am loving reading in this Bible as it seems to speak so clearly with nothing to distract. The Holy Spirit has full reign to speak to me wherever I am reading at the time.

Another thing I'm beginning to do is writing out my prayers. This too keeps my mind from wandering and right on what I want to say to God. It will also serve as a reminder as to what and who I have prayed for, not just praying a one-shot prayer for someone. I can express my praise to Him this way. It doesn't mean I'll never pray aloud but this writing again holds my attention where it should be.

I'm just sharing some things I have planned, that aren't mechanical, but that fits me right now at this stage of my physical and spiritual life. I may do some of these things at different times of day or not. However, you shouldn't do anything I am doing unless it fits you. Think about things you do in order to build relationships in your life. You can come up with your own plan. I am just suggesting that we all make as much of a plan to be spiritual as we would in planning a grocery list. Our Father deserves no less.

Father, I love You and long for a closer relationship with You. If I feel any distance from you, it is totally my fault. I long for a renewed intimacy in our relationship. I pray Your Spirit will guide me in this personal endeavor. I love you...In Jesus' precious name...Amen