On The Best Laid Schemes
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles Tags: Bible Lessons on TimeRobert Burns, the Scottish poet, once penned the now-familiar saying, “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” In today’s English, we would simply say that our best laid plans, “often go awry.” Mr. Burns correctly observed that the things we plan, don’t always turn out the “way” we plan.
Regarding any future plans, James warns us, “Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:13-14). Many times, we make affirmations about our future, when we, in fact, do not know what the future holds. James continues by saying:
“Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:15-16).
James’ admonition poses a real challenge for many of us, because we like to plan things in careful detail, and do not enjoy “surprises.” We like to be in charge of our lives and our surroundings, and we’re not happy when things happen that we can’t control or direct.
The truth of the matter is that we don’t control very much at all. In fact, we need to continually remind ourselves that there are an infinitesimally small category of things we “might” be able to control at some future point, and an infinitely huge category of things we can’t control now or ever.
Whether we like it or not, the Scriptures tell us to do the best we can with the first category (cf. Mark 14:8; Acts 11:29), and leave the other category in the Lord’s hands (cf. Matthew 6:25-34; Romans 8:28). Conversely, God’s “schemes” or plans, are never “gang aft agley.”
God always accomplishes what He plans to do. In fact, He “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). And regarding that counsel, God tells us, “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure”¦I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:10-11). This is why we will fare better trusting in God’s plans rather than in our own, or the plans of other people.
As humans, we frequently fail to accomplish that which we set out or plan to do, however, God’s plans never fail! Where others may disappoint us by reneging on their commitments, God never will! (cf. Hebrews 6:13-20; Numbers 23:19) This being the case, why should we want to rely on fallible people – ourselves or someone else – when we can put our confidence in a God who knows all, sees all, can do anything, and will do exactly what He says? (cf. John 3:27; James 1:17).
In one of his songs, John Lennon once wrote, “Life is what happens while you are making other plans.” Indeed, we spend a great deal of our time making plans, such as, “Someday I’ll travel to Europe,” or “Someday I’ll write a book,” or “Someday I’ll quit that bad habit,” or “Someday I’ll get serious about my relationship with God,” or “Someday I’ll render obedience to the Lord by being baptized.” And of course, “someday” never arrives, and life continues to pass us by.
However, the inspired writer Paul tells us, regarding the planning of our obedience to Christ:
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
James tells us, if we know what we ought to be doing today and aren’t doing it, we’re already doing wrong (James 4:17).
Brethren and friends, don’t let your great plans for serving God “gang aft agley.”
Trust Him and obey Him — today!