The Discipline Of PlanningSample

Counter 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 hope and a future”. - Jer 29:11

When the Jews were taken captive to Babylon over a hundred years before the rule of Ahasuerus, Jeremiah prophesied about future hope to Israel. A few Jews returned to Israel after the fall of Babylon, but many Jews were scattered across the kingdom of Media and Persia.

During the rule of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, there was a man named Haman who was appointed as the chief prince over the entire kingdom. Haman hated Jews so he planned to kill all the Jews in the kingdom. He got the King’s approval and the decree was proclaimed. But after hearing the decree, there was counterplan in the heart of a God-fearing Jew, Mordecai. He did not react to this terrible news only by weeping. He positively sensed God’s higher purpose in the evil plan of Haman. Mordecai believed that God will save His people and he needed to do his part.

So he immediately went to the King’s gate to inform the queen about the news. Later, he gathered all the information, obtained a copy of the decree and immediately passed the information to Queen Esther and told her what to do. He proactively gathered all the Jews in Shushan to fast and pray for 3 days.

His confidence in God’s higher purpose gave him a clear vision to formulate an appropriate plan; his conviction gave Esther the courage to risk her life to stand before the king and present her request. And also all the Jews in Shushan believed in his vision, so they fasted and prayed as he requested.

Have you ever worked in an organization where the leadership lacks vision? You can hardly make any progress with your planning. What you see is what you can become. What do you see today? Do you sense God’s unique purpose for you? Only a clear purpose and a compelling vision can lead to effective planning.

Father, help me to sense Your unique purpose for my life. Help me to catch Your vision and let it guide me in all I do. Amen.