The Plan

The Plan is Not to Have a Plan

A friend used to tell me, "The plan is not to have a plan." There are some of us who like to live life by the seat of our pants, Que sera sera; and then there are others who need a plan, need structure, and need to know what to expect in order to relax. I don't know why it's one or the other but what I do know, is that if you try to make the laid back person be scheduled they will go insane and if you try to make the structured person more laid back, they go insane. Our personalities are so hard wired that very rarely will one ever change. I'm a person who needs a plan, I want to be prepared, and I can't relax and enjoy the moment until I know what to expect; however, those simple words, "The plan is not to have a plan," were enough to make me feel secure and settled in that moment. I knew to expect not to expect--funny how easy we can manipulate our brains.

Sometimes in life I get so stressed trying to make my life happen, trying to make lists and goals, that I fail to realize that my life is already happening. When I follow my heart instead of a list, I actually accomplish more, I enjoy my tasks and activities, and I take the pressure off of myself by not having to accomplish crazy things just to have a sense of completion.

I take my dog Rigby for a walk and he will get so excited that he will pull and gag himself just trying to get himself an inch further ahead of where he is. He wants control and wants to pull because he's so anxious to see what's ahead. He doesn't realize that the leash is for his own safety and that I am his protector. He has 10 feet of bliss he could be enjoying without the anxiety and the gagging. God is our protector, what often feels like being held back is God maintaining our boundary of safety. He gives us adequate room to move and live and enjoy our lives, but we are always pulling ourselves forward trying desperately to get ourselves to a destination that we don't even know exists. We cause ourselves physical and mental harm in this process of discontenment, when God is asking us to walk with Him, trust His guidance, and enjoy the journey that He is taking us on.

Lists and goals are necessary at times to help us remember and to give us an extra push but more often then not, I feel that God is telling us, "The plan is for you to not have a plan and to trust My Plan."

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11