German half-hour sand glass, first quarter of the 16th century, bronze-gilt and silver-gilt, Metropolitan Museum of Art, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

“Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht.” Or, “Man Plans, and God Laughs.”

Old Yiddish saying

2023 is speeding toward its inevitable conclusion, and our thoughts now turn to hopes and prayers for the soon-dawning new year. 

Plans and resolutions.

So much we want to accomplish.

I have a list of goals – not “resolutions”, a term that makes me a bit squeamish because it doesn’t carry the same weight of intentionality as “goals” – for the new twelve months. 

I’m going to need to start right away on 1 January 2024. 

• Create a Daily Bible Reading Plan that will deliver maximum impact for effective spiritual growth. (Or is that effective impact for maximum spiritual growth. Or effectively im;pactful to the max.)
• Create and launch The Bouville Diary podcast to reach millions of listeners with the message of Christ’s love, grace and peace.
• Write a best seller (ECPA, New York Times and Bono Indiana Picayune charts) that will also deliver maximum impact for effective spiritual growth for millions of people. (Look out, Max Lucado.)
• Have above best seller published in 52 countries, translated into a minimum of 52 languages (including Budukh, spoken by only about 200 people in Azerbaijan, according to UNESCO).
• Travel the world by boat (I don’t like flying), visiting all seven continents and personally seeing to it every nation has heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Broker peace in the Middle East and Asia. (To be done concurrent with aforementioned evangelical world boat tour.)
• End hatred, racism, drug addiction, homelessness, cancer and all other nefarious diseases, broken families, greed, corruption…
• Take away all anxiety and worry, filling the void with God’s peace.

That’s just a partial list. I left out the more personal items (weight loss, reading a book a day, training myself to eat beets without gagging, etc.). I also didn’t mention bringing an end to reboots of old TV sitcoms, but that seems fairly insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

I’m being a bit facetious here. Ok, maybe more than a bit. My intention is neither to belittle these very important subjects, nor to offend anyone. My point is, simply, resolutions and goals are great. But if we make our plans without the Lord’s direction, we strategize in vain.

And while these lofty goals are noble and good (except perhaps the sitcom reboot thing), I believe my efforts would be far better focused on the below:

• ³⁷ And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸ This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹ And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:37-40 (ESV)
• ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
• ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-8 (ESV)
• ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. ⁸ It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. – Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

Instead of grand plans and resolutions, perhaps simply following and focusing on Jesus is a far better path. He will lead us to opportunities to bless. He will take us where we need to be if we follow His path in faith. Our call is to love God, love others and share the Gospel. If we are lead by God’s love with pure motives, we will succeed in playing our part in God’s plans.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established (Proverbs 16:3, ESV).