Your resolution will flop.
No matter what version you read it out of, Proverbs 19:21 sums up 2011, and really the last 7 years of my life quite well.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.
In the beginning of 2011 I was rolling along, growing Holy Cow’s impact and reach…doing what I do. During the year a few churches asked me to join their staff, but we were comfortable and felt good doing what we were doing. We weren’t moving, we weren’t going on staff. We knew where we were headed.
“many are your plans”
Then one of the churches we worked with asked me to increase my role there. I eagerly accepted the new role but told them I’d do it in Michigan.
“many are your plans”
Yep, as I wrote about, that translated into us moving down there. But we were still going to be on contract, our workload would increase but not much else other than location and more on-site involvement. It was all still really Holy Cow. I wasn’t coming on full time, I wouldn’t have office hours, steady as she goes.
“many are your plans”
On January 2 I will begin leading the marketing and media team of Victory World Church.
That’s kinda scary and most certainly a bit uncomfortable. For the last 7 years I came and went as I pleased. I set my own hours, I did my own thing. I answered to no one. But in those restless moments, when I start to get anxious I remember the rest, and greatest part of the verse:
“the Lord’s purpose prevails”
They are giving me a lot of room and flexibility to continue to speak and consult and I will continue to direct and champion Holy Cow Creative, but in 2012 I will begin leading this group at this amazing church.
8 years ago I wanted to be creative director at my church of not quite 1000 people. That door closed, Holy Cow was born. I thought I had landed. I thought that desire was gone, door closed and locked. But I am now the Experience Pastor at a church of 10,000.
See, what it doesn’t say, and you just end up figuring it out, is that not only does the Lord’s purpose prevail but it is MUCH MUCH better than what you’d ever dream. The coolest part of all of this is that none of it was on my radar, I didn’t orchestrate it. God opened the door and pulled me through.
This year I had the chance to get an early galley of Len Sweet’s I Am a Follower in order to consider writing an endorsement (which I gladly did). Within it held my new resolution for 2011 and every year after it: Follow Christ and let Him lead.
As in, forget your plans. Forget walking in one direction and asking God to come find you and help you but in walking beside the Savior and following His path.
So go ahead and make your resolution, setup your 5 year plan, it is a good start. But know that if you let God lead, those plans will fade into something much more amazing.
What has God surprised you with in 2011?
What doors are you seeing opened as He leads you into 2012?
