Who’s Plan?!
- AJ SADLER
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. - Proverbs 19:21
I’ve always been a planner.
Maybe it’s the military in me, but I’ve lived by the saying, “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” I believe in setting goals, writing things down, creating timelines, and working toward them with discipline. That’s not a bad thing. In fact, planning is often an act of wisdom. The problem isn’t having a plan. The problem is believing your plan is more important than God’s.
For years, I had my life mapped out.
I was going to build a career in the military. I was going to become a Sergeant Major. I wanted to leave my mark on my career field, mentor Soldiers, and retire knowing I had made a difference. Every promotion, every school, every assignment fit into the roadmap I had carefully created. From my perspective, it was a good plan.
Then one day, everything changed.
During a season of revival and fasting at church, while sitting in a service, the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He didn’t ask me to tweak my plans. He didn’t suggest I make a few adjustments. He gave me three clear directions that completely changed the course of my life.
That day, I took my blueprint for the future and laid it at His feet.
Was it easy? Not even close.
There were questions I couldn’t answer. There were opportunities I had to release. There were dreams I had carried for years that suddenly took a backseat to something God was calling me to. From the outside, it may have looked like I was walking away from success. In reality, I was walking toward purpose.
I’ve learned that God doesn’t always destroy our plans because they’re bad. Sometimes He interrupts them because they’re too small.
We make plans based on what we can see.
God works from what He already knows.
We organize our future around comfort, security, promotions, finances, and recognition. God organizes it around eternity. We ask, “What’s best for me?” He asks, “What will bring Me the most glory?” Those aren’t always the same destination.
There is still wisdom in planning. Scripture never condemns preparation. It condemns pride. It warns against living as though tomorrow belongs to us instead of the One who created it. Make your plans. Set your goals. Work hard. Be disciplined. But hold every one of them with open hands.
Too many people spend their lives asking God to bless a future they never invited Him to design.
Then they’re frustrated when doors close.
Sometimes a closed door isn’t the devil resisting you.
It’s God redirecting you.
I’ve also realized something else. God’s purpose isn’t fragile. He doesn’t sit in heaven hoping someone will volunteer so His will can finally happen. His purpose will prevail. The real question isn’t whether God’s plan will succeed. It will.
The question is whether you’ll be part of it.
You can spend your life fighting for your agenda, insisting your timeline is better, and arguing that your way makes more sense. God isn’t threatened by that. His purposes will continue. The only thing at risk is whether you’ll experience the joy of walking in them.
The greatest plans I’ve ever made pale in comparison to the life God planned for me before I ever knew Him.
Looking back, I don’t miss the life I thought I wanted.
I’m grateful God loved me enough to interrupt it.
Here’s the blunt truth: God doesn’t need your plan to accomplish His purpose. The blessing is when your plan becomes His.
Who’s Plan?!
1. What plans am I gripping so tightly that I haven’t left room for God to redirect me?
2. If God asked me today to lay down my greatest ambition, would I trust His purpose more than my plan?
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