Thrown off ScriptNäide

Day 2 – Bring a brick, not a cathedral

There’s an old saying in improv that goes, “Bring a brick, not a cathedral.” It means having a loose grip on your plans. Approach a situation with ideas to contribute, but willingness to let them go.

The Bible reminds us of the importance of keeping a loose grip on our plans in Proverbs 16:9. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” We can make our plans (a grip), but the Lord determines our steps (a loose grip). 

If we go about our lives disregarding the facts (1) we don’t know our future, and (2) God‘s will may be different than ours, then we are setting ourselves up for disappointment and frustration when things don’t go according to our plan. A loose grip acknowledges God’s sovereignty to interrupt our plans. 

Think about it: God has​ to interrupt us! If we went sailing through life according to our plan, then we could pat ourselves on the back for planning so well. We wouldn’t have any need to approach our Father, and He wouldn’t receive any glory for any good thing. Instead, He injects our path with unexpected people and events in the hope that in each of those instances, we turn to Him for wisdom, strength, and with the expectation that He will be glorified. 

Take it to God: Lord, please help me trust you and your plan.

Take action: Think of the plans you have coming up—work days, trips, family activities. How can you “loosen your grip” on those plans? Do your expectations and schedule allow God to interrupt you?