In what ways can we ensure our plans align with God's will today? Setting the Scene: Bricks Without God Genesis 11:3: “And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ So they used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.” • A seemingly harmless construction plan • No prayer, no consultation with the LORD • Technology and teamwork celebrated, yet God left out Their bricks symbolized human ingenuity divorced from divine guidance. The result? Confusion and scattering (11:8–9). The lesson still holds: any plan that sidelines God crumbles. Spotting Signs Our Plans May Be Off-Track • “Let us”—self-reliance replaces dependence (cf. Proverbs 3:5-6) • “Make a name for ourselves” (11:4)—motives rooted in pride, not glory to God (cf. Colossians 3:17) • Fear-based planning—“lest we be scattered” (11:4)—acting to control outcomes rather than trust God’s sovereignty (cf. Jeremiah 29:11) • No seeking God’s timing or voice (cf. Psalm 127:1) Biblical Principles for Aligning Plans with God’s Will • Trust, don’t lean—Proverbs 3:5-6 • Commit your works—Proverbs 16:3 • Seek first His kingdom—Matthew 6:33 • Remember Christ’s sufficiency—John 15:5 • Frame every plan with “If the Lord is willing”—James 4:15 Practical Ways to Bring Our Planning Under God’s Authority 1. Examine motives – Ask: Will this honor God or build my brand? (Colossians 3:17) 2. Start with Scripture – Let the Word shape priorities before the calendar does (Psalm 119:105). 3. Pray for wisdom at every stage – “Commit your works to the LORD” (Proverbs 16:3). 4. Invite godly counsel – “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). 5. Hold timelines loosely – God may redirect or delay to protect and perfect (Isaiah 55:8-9). 6. Measure success by faithfulness, not scale – Noah built one ark; Babel built a city. Only one project survived judgment. 7. Stay flexible for course corrections – Paul’s missionary routes changed by the Spirit (Acts 16:6-10). Encouragement for Today When our bricks are offered to Him, He becomes the Master Builder. Aligning plans with His will is not a brake on progress—it’s the pathway to fruit that lasts. |
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