Relationships: Passing the Vibe CheckSample

Day 4: Relationships and Your Plans

Proverbs 16:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. 2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

We all have our human hopes and dreams, don't we? The plans in our hearts are important because they allow us to set goals and learn how to be determined to work and achieve them.

The plans of our hearts also include other people. Maybe you want your family to respond to you in a different way than they do. If that special someone has caught your eye and your heart, you might want to pursue a plan for romance. What about the authority figures in your professional life? Teachers or employers can also have ideas concerning your future and productivity that might excite you and fill you with a sense of importance.

Please remember, though, how this proverb explains the contrast between humans' limited plans and God's sovereignty. He has control over our short-term and long-term ambitions as well as our sometimes-chaotic paths forward. Verse 2 says He knows our motivation and why we pursue certain goals and relationships, so we need to remain tethered to Him and stay away from being too self-centered.

Most importantly, if we commit all our words and actions to His will, we can't go wrong. Open communication in your relationships with your support system can also create ways to explore how well plans line up with God's desires for our lives. He will bless our obedience and willingness to trust Him. You can give all your cares and worries to Him through prayers, whether they are written in a journal or spoken to Him. Give all your relationships to Him, and then start looking for the God-moments. You will find instances every single day of your life where He intervenes to help you.

·How can you be sure that your relationships and plans match with the plan God has for you?

·What does a true commitment to God look like for you?

Describe a specific God moment when you know He stepped into your life to help establish a plan for you.