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Planning

November

Every year for the past four years I have accepted the invitation to assist the Dean of
the United Methodist Pastors Licensing School at West River and to also teach one
course: Time Management and Planning. The reason why I accept this invitation each
year is because I believe everyone should know how to plan their time and their life; God
planned! It says so in the Bible: "For I know the plans that I have for you declares the
LORD, plans to prosper you, not to harm you; plans to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).
God also planned the creation of this earth step by step: “In the beginning, God
created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1 (NKJV). We all know that Bible verse
like the back of our god-given hand. God goes on to create other things, assesses His
creation, and then creates more. At one point, He rests, and then assesses His whole
project, and finds that it is ‘good’. Rules for running a business are similar. Plan, assess,
stop and look at the whole picture, then revise your plan.
Most of us who have taken ‘Time Management and Planning’ courses, …after
courses, …after courses…still tend to manage our time poorly and incorrectly. We buy
the Franklins, the Palms, the Rolodexes, the Day-timers, the Post-it notes, the
highlighters, the little note pad to stick into our shirt pocket or pocketbook, and “O God”
— don’t let me forget about our Internet Service Providers to Email, and Outlook to
schedule our day. We get all of ‘those material things’ to assist us and voila! — the only
thing that we manage to accomplish, is to get bogged down with a “to do list” to follow,
and an appointment book to tell us where we need to be at a certain time and with whom.
Oh, those experts will tell you to check off the small tasks as you do them, to give
yourself a sense of accomplishment. But, what are you accomplishing, really? Those
insignificant tasks are ruling your life! They are telling you what to do: Call/Email
someone back! Write that ‘memo of understanding’ so that you both know you are on
the same page with your assumptions. But, ask yourself, “What are these tasks
accomplishing? Are these tasks fitting into my life plan? Where do I want to be in five
years, ten years, at the end of my life? What is my purpose in life, and is what I am
doing daily, to accomplish that purpose?”
If you have come to the conclusion that you are not in control of your life, but that
you’re ‘to do list’ is controlling you, then remember—you have choices! God gave you
freewill. Remember, He created you with a plan and wants you to plan a life that will
glorify Him. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Plan to love life and live it for Him.

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