Yours or His?

At some point, you planned to get married, (maybe or maybe not to a minster), possibly have a family, and maybe some of you are even at the stage of beginning to “plan” for retirement.

We plan for check-ups – dental appointments – mammograms – and the dreaded “annual” appointments. Hair appointments? Yes – definitely! There’s always a birthday or anniversary or some other special occasion to plan.

We have cell phone plans, menus plans, health care and insurance plans, we look at floor plans when building a home, when you got married you planned your wedding, you and your husband live on a budget plan, maybe you are even on a diet plan!!!

As minister’s wives, we plan for Bible studies, women’s events, lunches to stay connected, small group gatherings, and plan which service(s) we will attend on Sundays. Maybe we even have to plan for time with our husbands!

Life is one big “planning” session for most of us. The definition of “plan” is “a method of achieving an end”. I would not assume that because we carry the title “minister’s wives” that we always have the plan of God on our hearts.The busyness of ministry life can surely rob us of many things if we are not intentional in planning personal time with Him. Do our plans lead us towards God or merely on a path of never ending activities?

Do we make God plans? Are we as intentional in our plans with the Lord as we are all other activities in our lives?

Do we:

• Plan to spend time praying every day?
• Plan to spend time studying His Word everyday?
• Plan to pour into our children the truth of God’s Word?
• Plan to memorize His Word?
• Plan to share Christ with others?
• Plan to be available and willing for Him to change “our plan”?

In the Old Testament, we see how God was a “planner”.  Look at the detailed directions he gave to individuals for building the Temple.

What does God say about HIS plans for us?

“For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11 

“O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God.  You do such wonderful things!  You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.”  Isaiah 25:1

Planning time with the Lord is invaluable to all of us. I love the following quote by Sarah Young in her book “Nearer To Jesus”. She so adequately states the important of unrushed time with the Father.

“Time with Me cannot be rushed. When you are in a hurry, your mind flitters back and forth between Me and the tasks ahead of you. Push back the demands pressing in on you; create a safe space around you, a haven in which you can rest with Me. I also desire this time of focused attention and I use it to bless you, strengthening and equipping you for the day ahead. Thus, spending time with Me is a wise investment. Bring Me the sacrifice of your precious time. This creates sacred space around you – space permeated with My Presence and My Peace.”

Can I challenge all of us to take a serious look at how we choose and “plan” our days as minister’s wives – checking to make sure we are not swallowed up by the demands of ministry life – but planning each day to commit fully and wholly to HIS plans for us every day!  

How do you make your plans?  Do you create a sacred space? Post your comments below or tell us your story of spoiled plans in the forum.

Jeana Floyd is a wife, mother, grandmother, pastor’s wife, and breast cancer survivor.  She has served alongside her husband, Dr. Ronnie Floyd, in ministry for over 37 years.  They have served at Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas for 27 years.