Is a plan good?

I went home for lunch this afternoon. I like going home for lunch. I get to see Ja Nonda and usually she has something great for me to eat. In fact I don’t have to go home for lunch. I enjoy going out to lunch with her and Madison. Today while we were at lunch she asked when I was going to blog again. She said she likes to read them. So guess what I started thinking again. I know that has trouble all over it. I have some downtime so here is the blog.

At times like this, sounding crazy, I just sit back and I grab the first thing that enters my mind. Right now that first thing is the word plan. How weird is that? Why plan? We all have a plan for something. We may only have one plan but we have a plan. That could be a plan for life or a plan for the evening. I know I can get my definitions messed up. So in the Chuck Collins dictionary (even I’m starting to laugh now). I guess I won’t break out the dictionary. So we do have a plan of some sort. You know that purposed course. That drawing or diagram we can always point too. How about some sort of scheme, method or as in the Marines we would say the plan of attack.

I often go to book stores. Sometimes I just go and browse. I sense great empowerment walking in a bookstore or library. I guess because of all the knowledge that is placed on the shelves. It can be intimidating. I guess looking to Jesus could be intimidating too. He holds all the knowledge and grace. I remember reading that Peter said “Jesus. Where will we go? You have all the knowledge!” When I think of Jesus I see a personable relationship not just a book.

As I reflect over the times in the bookstore I can see titles flashing before me.
Business Writing Plan
All Your Worth Money Plan
Plan to Flatten Your Stomach (never read it)
Step-by-Step Plan for Creating the phenomenal Family (Dr. Phil)
The foolproof plan for taking over your life
Oh then there is the Christian expertise of the Plan:
God’s Action Plan
The Body by God Plan
Is the ministry God’s plan for your life

Okay. So I went a bit overboard. This is just what I remember. Hopefully I came close to the correct titles. Plans! Plans! Everywhere are plans! We can’t escape this noun or verb. Can we get away from formulas or blueprints? Nope. A plan is what is needed when you want to construct something. We plan and don’t even realize it. Ven would say Chuck never does anything unless he has a plan behind it. I grew up working with my dad in construction. We had vision and a plan.

I think we miss many things in relation to God because we are all about the plan. We plan when we need to go to service. We plan how long we should stay. We plan who we are going to talk too. We plan what we’re going to say. We plan what we are going to do as we hurry up and leave. Then we plan if we are going to have enough time through the week for God. Will I have enough time in my plan for God? I try to plan my week, work and activities around God. There I go still planning. You need some type of planning just to survive. Still with all this need for planning it's no great wonder why we get disappointed when we don’t see the plans for our life going the way we want them to go. Then when our plan doesn’t work we get so frustrated with God. Many of us might be planning to quit God before the end of the year. I’m trying to realize that my plan for my life should be flexible especially compared to God’s plan for my life. We let our plans tell us how everyone should serve God. Our plans tell us how we as a believer should act. Our plan tells us how we should pray, praise, speak and teach. The result is the fulfillment of our plans. These plans are hogwash! Why? It should be about the ultimate plan. God’s redemption plan! Not Chuck’s or some other person’s plan for redemption! My plan would tell everyone off. My relationship is based on helping Him carry out His redemption plan. How does all this relate to the engaging church of New Faith? I have to say I’m throwing away the blueprints and formulas that religion has put into place for today’s culture. I plan to throw away the formula if-Chuck-does-X + when-God-does-Y= C. Ah, I just caught myself planning again. This one is going to be tough! I guess I shouldn't plan on anything else but doing what God wants me to do. Which could be anything at anyplace. His Word is the light for my plan. -chuck