Planning with God: Surrendering Control for His Purpose
Summary
Today’s focus is on the deeply practical and spiritual question: How do we make plans for our future in a way that honors God? From the earliest days of humanity, we have been planners—organizing time, marking seasons, and striving to bring order to our lives. Yet, in our modern world, planning can become either an anxious attempt to control every detail or a passive drift through life without intention. James 4 offers a third way: a life of planning that is neither driven by fear nor by presumption, but by humble submission to God’s will.
James challenges us to recognize the brevity and fragility of life. Our days are like a mist—here for a moment and then gone. The problem is not with planning itself, but with planning as if we are in control, as if God does not exist. This is a subtle form of arrogance, a presumption that we can guarantee our own future. The call is to plan, but to do so with a heart that says, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” This posture acknowledges God’s sovereignty and our dependence on Him.
Throughout Scripture, we see that God is a planner, and we are made in His image to cultivate, create, and plan. But our plans must be filtered through prayer, submission, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts are a model: he made wise plans, but was always open to the Spirit’s redirection. Sometimes God closes doors, not to frustrate us, but to resurrect His greater purposes in our lives. Our willingness to submit our plans to God can have ripple effects far beyond what we imagine.
Practically, this means being filled with the Holy Spirit, listening for God’s voice, and obeying when He leads—even if it means changing course. It means filtering our decisions through the values and callings God has already placed in our hearts, and seeking His wisdom in both big and small choices. Ultimately, Jesus calls us to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that as we do, all other things will fall into place. The invitation is to surrender control, release anxiety, and plan from a place of rest, knowing our future is secure in God’s providence.
Key Takeaways
- Planning Without God Is Presumption, Not Wisdom
It is not wrong to plan, but it is foolish to do so as if we are in control of tomorrow. Our lives are a mist, and every heartbeat is a gift from God. When we plan without seeking God’s counsel, we live as practical atheists, professing faith with our lips but denying it with our actions. True wisdom is found in acknowledging our dependence on God for every step we take. [13:44]
- Submission Precedes Strategy in Godly Planning
Godly planning begins with a heart of submission, not with the pressures of fear, comparison, or social expectation. Before committing to any plan, we are called to lay our intentions before God, filtering them through prayer and seeking His will. This posture of humility allows God to direct our steps and frees us from the tyranny of self-made agendas. [55:16]
- God’s Redirection Is Often His Greater Purpose
When God closes doors or redirects our plans, it is not to frustrate us but to fulfill His higher purposes. Paul’s willingness to change course in Acts 16 led to the gospel reaching Europe and, ultimately, to us. Our surrendered plans can become the launching pad for God’s work in ways we cannot foresee, if we are willing to let go and follow His lead. [57:43]
- The Spirit-Filled Life Is the Key to Discernment
We cannot discern God’s will for our plans apart from the Holy Spirit. Being regularly filled with the Spirit, listening for His voice, and obeying His promptings are essential practices. God gives wisdom through His Word, through internal callings, and through the Spirit’s guidance, enabling us to plan with confidence and flexibility. [01:02:02]
- Seek First the Kingdom and Plan from Rest, Not Anxiety
Jesus teaches us to seek the kingdom of God above all else, trusting that God will provide for our needs. Planning from a place of rest—rather than anxiety or control—frees us to live with open hands. As we surrender our calendars, ambitions, and futures to God, we find peace in His providence and the courage to follow wherever He leads. [01:06:23]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:02] - Service Introduction & Announcements
[13:44] - Reading from James 4:13-17
[16:00] - Humanity’s Ancient Impulse to Plan
[20:30] - The Two Extremes: Free-Floating and Over-Planning
[25:10] - James’ Third Way: Planning with God
[31:00] - The Problem of Presumption in Planning
[36:45] - The Illusion of Control and the Story of the Merchant
[41:30] - Jesus’ Parable of the Rich Fool
[47:00] - God’s Invitation to Wisdom in Planning
[51:30] - Paul’s Example: Plans Redirected by the Spirit
[55:16] - The Power of Submission in Planning
[58:25] - Solomon’s Search for Meaning in Accomplishment
[01:00:51] - Created to Plan: Aligning with God’s Image
[01:02:02] - Three Steps to Spirit-Led Planning
[01:04:54] - Filtering Plans Through God-Given Values
[01:06:23] - Seek First the Kingdom: Planning from Rest
[01:07:55] - Reflection and Response Time
[01:13:16] - Surrendering Major Life Changes
[01:16:13] - Jesus’ Model of Surrendered Planning
[01:20:13] - Closing Prayer and Song of Surrender
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Planning with God
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### Bible Reading
James 4:13-17 (ESV)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James 4:13-17, what attitude do some people have when making plans for the future? What does James say is wrong with this approach?
2. How does James describe the nature of our lives in this passage?
3. What alternative does James give to planning presumptuously? What phrase does he suggest we use?
4. In the sermon, what are the two extremes of planning that people often fall into, and what is the “third way” James offers? [[13:44]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James call planning without reference to God “arrogance”? What does this reveal about our view of ourselves and of God? [[13:44]]
2. The sermon says, “Planning without God is like living as if he doesn’t exist—even if we would never say that out loud.” What does it look like to be a “practical atheist” in our daily routines? [[13:44]]
3. How does the example of Paul’s missionary journeys in Acts 16 illustrate the difference between godly planning and self-reliant planning? [[55:16]]
4. What does it mean to “submit before you commit” when it comes to making plans? How is this different from simply being passive or indecisive? [[55:16]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon describes two extremes: the “free floater” who drifts through life and the “over-planner” who tries to control everything. Which one do you tend to be, and how has that affected your relationship with God and others? [[13:44]]
2. Can you think of a recent time when you made plans without really seeking God’s input? What was the outcome? How might things have been different if you had started with prayer and submission? [[13:44]]
3. The sermon challenges us to ask, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” What would it look like for you to practically include God in your planning this week? Is there a specific decision or area of your calendar you need to bring before Him? [[13:44]]
4. Have you ever experienced God closing a door or redirecting your plans? How did you respond at the time, and what did you learn from it? [[55:16]]
5. The sermon says, “God’s redirection for you could be the resurrection of His plans for your life.” Is there an area where you feel God might be redirecting you right now? What would it look like to surrender that to Him? [[57:43]]
6. The pastor mentioned filtering decisions through God-given values and callings. What are some values or callings you sense God has placed on your life? How can you use these as a filter for your plans? [[01:04:54]]
7. Jesus teaches us to “seek first the kingdom of God.” What is one practical way you can plan from a place of rest and trust, rather than anxiety or control, this week? [[01:06:23]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you afresh, to give you wisdom, and to help you surrender your plans to God’s will. Ask God to help you plan with humility, trust, and openness to His redirection.
Devotional
Day 1: Planning Without God Is Presumptuous and Foolish
When we make plans for our lives without seeking God, we fall into the trap of believing we are in control, when in reality, our lives are fragile and fleeting. James warns that presuming upon the future is arrogance, likening our lives to a mist that appears briefly and then vanishes. True wisdom is not found in self-reliance or in ignoring God’s sovereignty, but in humbly acknowledging our dependence on Him for every moment and every plan. Planning is not wrong, but planning as if God does not exist is living in a dangerous illusion. [13:44]
James 4:13-17 (ESV)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been making plans without truly inviting God into the process? What would it look like to pause and ask for His direction before moving forward?
Day 2: Submitting Our Plans to God’s Will
Godly planning begins with submission, not with pressure from fear, comparison, or social expectations. Instead of letting anxiety or the opinions of others drive our schedules, we are called to filter our intentions through prayer and ask, “If the Lord wills.” This posture of surrender means inviting God into every decision, big or small, and being willing to let Him redirect us—even if it means changing our carefully laid plans. When we submit before we commit, we open ourselves to God’s wisdom and guidance, trusting that He will establish our steps. [55:16]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Reflection: What is one plan or commitment you are holding tightly to right now? Are you willing to lay it before God and ask Him to lead, even if it means letting go or changing direction?
Day 3: God’s Redirection Is Often His Greater Purpose
Sometimes God closes doors or changes our plans in ways we don’t expect, but His redirection can lead to purposes far greater than our own. Paul’s willingness to submit his agenda to God’s leading in Acts 16 resulted in the gospel spreading to new regions and ultimately to us today. When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and open to God’s interruptions, our surrendered plans can become the launching pad for God’s greater work in and through us. [57:43]
Acts 16:6-10 (ESV)
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God changed your plans in a way you didn’t expect? How might you look for His greater purpose in the interruptions or redirections you are experiencing now?
Day 4: True Fulfillment Is Found Only in God
No matter how many plans we accomplish or how much we achieve, life is ultimately empty apart from God. Solomon, after attaining wealth, wisdom, pleasure, and success, declared it all meaningless without God at the center. Jesus reminds us that apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Lasting fruit and fulfillment come not from our own striving, but from abiding in Christ and aligning our plans with His purposes. [59:24]
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Reflection: Where have you been seeking fulfillment through your own plans or achievements? How can you intentionally invite God to be at the center of your ambitions and desires today?
Day 5: Seek First the Kingdom and Plan from a Place of Rest
Jesus teaches us not to be anxious about the future, but to seek first the kingdom of God and trust that all our needs will be met. When we surrender control and rest in God’s providence, we are freed from the burdens of fear and comparison. Planning with God’s intent in mind allows us to live with peace, knowing that He is guiding every step. As we seek His kingdom in our daily decisions, we can trust Him to lead us into His best for our lives. [01:06:23]
Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where anxiety or the need for control has been stealing your peace? How can you practice seeking God’s kingdom first and planning from a place of rest this week?
Quotes
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