The end of one year and the start of a new one provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. There’s nothing magical about January 1. In many ways it’s just another day. New year–same you and I. But the flipping of the annual calendar does symbolically and mentally provide a fresh start and new outlook. If we’re not careful, however, we can fall prey to many of the cliches and jargons this time of year–ones that make planning and goal-setting all about us. God and His Word have a way of correcting this kind of focus, if we will allow it.
I thought it would be helpful to allow God Himself to speak directly into our thinking and planning this time of year, or really anytime of year planning and goal-setting are needed (e.g. academic years, annual business planning, family planning). So below is a survey of the book of Proverbs and the wisdom stored up there for us to consider regarding plans, goals, and commitments. Here are five actions we can take, with intentionality and humility, that will help us be mindful of God with our planning. I’ve purposefully left out any commentary throughout, rather letting God’s Word speak for itself.
1.Take the Time to Audit, Analyze, & Reflect.
- To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; Pr 1:2–3.
- Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance Pr 1:5.
- Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure Pr 4:26.
- He ponders all his paths Pr 5:21.
- Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Pr 6:6–8.
- The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, Pr 14:8.
- The prudent gives thought to his steps Pr 14:15.
- The discerning sets his face toward wisdom Pr 17:24.
- Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. Pr 24:32.
- Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, Pr 27:23.
2. Be Skeptical of Your Own Ability to Evaluate & Plan.
- Do not lean on your own understanding Pr 3:5.
- Be not wise in your own eyes Pr 3:7.
- How then can man understand his way? Pr 20:24.
- Every way of a man is right in his own eyes Pr 21:2.
- Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Pr 27:1.
3. Bring Others into the Process.
- Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety Pr 11:14.
- Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise Pr 13:20.
- Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed Pr 15:22.
- The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Pr 15:31.
- Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Pr 19:20.
- The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Pr 20:5.
- Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. Pr 20:18.
- For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. Pr 24:6.
- Faithful are the wounds of a friend Pr 27:6.
- The sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Pr 27:9.
- Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Pr 27:17.
4. Trust in God’s Wisdom & Control.
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge Pr 1:7.
- For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding Pr 2:6.
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart Pr 3:5.
- In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths Pr 3:6.
- For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord Pr 5:21.
- The eyes of the Lord are in every place Pr 15:3.
- The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord Pr 16:1.
- The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Pr 16:9.
- The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Pr 16:33.
- Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Pr 19:21.
- The Lord weighs the heart Pr 21:2.
- No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. Pr 21:30.
- The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge Pr 22:12.
- Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always Pr 28:14.
5. Work Hard & Enjoy the Results.
- Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Pr 3:3.
- So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Pr 3:4.
- Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Pr 13:12.
- A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul Pr 13:19.
- The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance Pr 21:5.
- The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. Pr 21:31.
- Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread Pr 28:19.
- A faithful man will abound with blessings Pr 28:20.
- She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Pr 31:27–31.
As I studied these components, two consistent themes emerged–humility and intentionality. You have to be humble to recognize that you need to change and grow and you need to be intentional to actually do anything about it. You need humility to submit yourself to trusted advisers and friends and you need intentionality to take the time and effort to interact with them about your desires and goals. Trusting God takes both of these as well. You get the point.
It also takes intentionality to adopt the proper mindset needed as well as set up systems that will help facilitate change and growth. Our focus shouldn’t merely be on the goals and desired destination. Rather, our focus should be on the employment of daily habits and behaviors. Be intentional with your planning and goal-setting, but also be very specific with what mindsets, environments, relationships, habits, etc. that need to change. That’s where the real work is done and where you will get the most return on time invested. So take the time now to think through all of this. Bring others into the process to support you along the way. Trust God, work hard, and be prepared to enjoy the results.
May God richly bless you in every way in 2023!
Soli Deo gloria