Original Post Date – August 24, 2007

James 4:13-17 (NIV)
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
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Hi! How are ya? I hope you are feeling well. If not, I pray that you begin to feel better by the time you are done reading this entry.

I am okay. I have had a lot of bells and whistles going off in my head. I’ve been seeing a lot of light bulbs flashing too…Well, not literally. I’ve just been having a ton of ideas flowing through my mind. They have been part of my motivation to make plans. Yeah, there are like a million and one things I’d like to do.

The other day, I began to think about how old I am. (**cough** I mean YOUNG..lol) While I am only 28 (soon to be 29), I really had PLANNED to have done so much more than I already have. For one, I planned to go spend some time in Bali, Indonesia by now. Am I even close to getting there to relax in such a beautiful place? I don’t think so, but what do I know? I don’t know what tomorrow holds. Someone may decide that I am good for about 150 grand and I could be on my merry little way. Then again, maybe not. Who knows, but God?

But God…

God is the creator of my life. He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. That knowledge alone makes me want to know more about and have a closer relationship with the ONE in charge of my life. He knows me. He knows that I want to do many things. I have ideas, hopes, and dreams. I know that while I have many things I’d like to do before I take my last breath in this temporary body, I also know that my life is not my own. I remain flexible and open to God’s will for my life. I may plan for something and believe me I HAVE planned for things only to have the plans changed sometimes in advance and sometimes at a moment’s notice.

“si Dios quiere” is a common expression in Mexican culture. It means “if God wishes”. Growing up, I heard the saying “if God willing” a lot. I can SAY what I want to do all day and year long, but I’ll drop what I’m doing and move when God says move. I must admit that I have not always been open to God’s will. There were times when I wanted all control over my life and it was going to be my will or not one at all. I know better now. Believe me, as when you are a child, being obedient is better than being disobedient any day. I have, however, learned from the times I was not in alignment with what God wanted to do in and through my life.

I just finished putting together a Five-Year Plan for my life.I plan to do a lot during the next five years. However, I may not get to do some of the things on that list. Regardless, I’m going to forever be open to whatever God has in mind for me even if my Five-Year Plan were written on a stone plate.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

As you continue in life, remember to be open to what God has in mind for you. Remaining flexible doesn’t mean you can’t still have hopes and dreams. After all, can you imagine a life without hopes or dreams? I never want to. If it is God’s will, I am going to do so much more that what I have listed in my Five-Year Plan. “¡Si Dios quiere!”

Keep planning.

Blessings to you!

Ayana E.