How is your sense of direction? Do you get lost easily or do you have a knack for finding your way? I love the challenge of finding new places by myself without the help of asking for directions or using GPS. I must admit my wife doesn’t get quite as enthused about these adventures as I do.
No matter where we are going, how we get there is not near as important as the purpose we have for going. Leaders who value action are prone to charging ahead to the next achievement without taking enough time to reflect and gain clear perspective and purpose for why they are going there. Temporal markers of success such as money, power and prestige typically turn out to be nothing more than a mirage that fails to satisfy. Many who finally arrive at what they envisioned as a destination of success, experience a lack of fulfillment and are left thirsting for something more. The book of James provides us with wise council regarding this very issue.
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)
Yielding your plans to God’s greater plan is essential in finding true success. Only in seeking a clear purpose that aligns with God’s will for your life will you experience the joy of success. Will you join me today is this very simple yet profound prayer? “Lord, guide my plans today that they be according to Your will and grant me the wisdom to discern and trust Your plan for me.” Amen.