Long Range Planning

Proverbs 20:4 (KJV) The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

I’m not a farmer, nor do I ever plan to be a farmer.  I’ve never plowed, nor do I plan to ever plow.  I think the short term application of this though is clear.  We need to prepare for next year’s harvest.

But this morning this reached out to me in a different way.  I got to thinking about how I ask myself, “What is my purpose in life?”  When you get up into the last decade of life, there’s not a lot of long-term planning that you get into because after all, it’s almost over for you.  I think part of the thinking in this first though, is that we are not just planning for ourselves, but for future generations.

We need to continue struggling with the issues of life.  It’s not that we will live to see the results but we have children and grandchildren.  If you haven’t either of those, then you probably have nieces and nephews.  If you’re so limited in relatives then consider the extended body of Christ.

So?  How does that plan apply today?  It’s going to be different for each of us.  The key is don’t give up.  Don’t think you have no contribution to make.  Think of the old man who plants apple trees that will not bear fruit for years.  He’s investing in the future.