NO SUCH THING AS LONG-RANGE PLANNING!

When life throws you a curve-ball, like our sudden discovery of Jaime's (Rick Warren's daughter) brain tumor, we realize once again that much of our schedule is often beyond our control. Unforeseen crises prove the futility of long range planning. No one but God knows the future. While the Bible tells us that we ought to prepare for the future, no one can predict the future. No one. As Jeremiah said, "Lord, I know that a person's life doesn't really belong to him. No one can control his own life." Jeremiah 10:23 (NCV) The Living Bible translation says it this way: O Lord, I know it is not within the power of man to map his life and plan his course."

The godly way to plan is scenario planning - having the attitude of, "We'll do this...IF such and such happens..." This is the kind of planning that the Bible recommends: "Instead, you ought to say, "IF it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:15 (NIV)