How to Develop a Life Plan

In Proverbs 16:9 I read, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” (NLT)

When I make my life plan, God’s contribution toward its success is far greater than my own—but my contribution is still vital. In the Old Testament, Nehemiah offers a good example of someone who knew that his plan depended on God.

When Nehemiah was cup bearer to King Artaxerxes, he heard his hometown of Jerusalem had been destroyed and lay defenseless. This troubled Nehemiah, so he decided to go home to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls. But he knew he wouldn’t get very far without a plan.

The Bible says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9 (NLT).

Nehemiah’s plan for how he would get to Jerusalem provides seven steps in developing a life plan. Here are the first two:

Step 1: Ask God for favor in my life.  Nehemiah knew he couldn’t just impulsively suggest that the king let him go home to rebuild. So he prayed, asking for God’s favor: “O Lord, please hear my prayer! . . . Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me” (Nehemiah 1:11 NLT). God’s favor is God’s grace, and I need it to make and fulfill my plans. Notice Nehemiah also prayed, “Please grant me success.” Sometimes I might think I shouldn’t ask God for success. But there’s nothing wrong with praying for success when I’m trusting God to do the work.

Step 2: Prepare for an opportunity, and then wait. Nehemiah had to wait before he was given an opportunity to present his plan to the king. Then one day, “four months later, when Emperor Artaxerxes was dining, [Nehemiah] took the wine to him” (Nehemiah 2:1 GNT). Because Nehemiah had plenty of time to prepare, he knew exactly what he wanted to say to the king.

When I begin praying about a plan, vision, or dream God has given me, he usually doesn’t answer right away. God often waits to see how serious I am about it. Am I going to keep praying and planning while I wait? If so, I’ll be prepared to open the door when opportunity knocks.

In the next few quiet time studies, I’ll look at more steps Nehemiah took in developing his plan, all steps that I can use as I make a life plan.

In summary, when I make my life plan, God’s contribution toward its success is far greater than my own—but my contribution is still vital. Nehemiah offers a good example of someone who knew that his plan depended on God. He knew he wouldn’t get very far without a plan. “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps”. Nehemiah’s plan provides seven steps I can use in developing a life plan. Step 1: Ask God for favor in my life. God’s favor is God’s grace, and I need it to make and fulfill my plans. There’s nothing wrong with praying for success when I’m trusting God to do the work. Step 2: Prepare for an opportunity, and then wait. Nehemiah had to wait before he was given an opportunity to present his plan. Because Nehemiah had plenty of time to prepare, he knew exactly what he wanted to say. When I begin praying about a plan, vision, or dream God usually doesn’t answer right away. God often waits to see how serious I am about it. Am I going to keep praying and planning while I wait? 

The final outcome of the plans I make is in God's hands. If this is so, why make plans?  In doing God's will, there must be partnership between my efforts and God's control. He wants me to use my mind, seek the advice of others, and to plan. The results are up to him. Planning, then, helps me act God's way. As I live for him, ask for guidance as I plan, and then act on my plan as I trust him.