Imperfect Plans 计划不完美

[Dexu Xia]

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

I was exploring a library on the bottom floor of a new community center when an overhead crash suddenly shook the room. A few minutes later it happened again, and then again. An agitated librarian finally explained that a weight-lifting area was positioned directly above the library, and the noise occurred every time someone dropped a weight. Architects and designers had carefully planned many aspects of this state-of-the-art facility, yet someone had forgotten to locate the library away from all the action.

In life as well, our plans are often flawed. We overlook important considerations. Our plans don’t always account for accidents or surprises. Although planning helps us avoid financial shortfalls, time crunches, and health issues, even the most thorough strategies can’t eliminate all problems from our lives. We live in a post-Eden world.

With God’s help, we can find the balance between prudently considering the future (Proverbs 6:6–8) and responding to difficulties. God often has a purpose for the trouble He allows into our lives. He may use it to develop patience in us, to increase our faith, or simply to bring us closer to Him. The Bible reminds us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). As we submit our goals and hopes for the future to Jesus, He’ll show us what He wants to accomplish in us and through us.

How do you respond when your plans don’t work out or when your expectations are unmet? What might God want you to learn through those experiences?

God, I believe You’re in control of everything. Help me to live wisely in this world, committing all my plans to You.

人心多有计谋，惟有耶和华的筹算，才能立定。—箴言19章21节

我正在新社区中心底层的图书馆参观，突然头顶传来巨响，整个图书馆都为之震动。几分钟后，又来一次，不久后又一次。一名焦躁的图书馆员最后解释说，图书馆的正上方是健身房的举重区，每当有人放下杠铃，就会传来这样的噪音。建筑师和设计师虽然仔细规划了这个先进新颖的图书馆，但却忘了将它设置在远离活动的地方。

人生不也是如此吗？我们的计划往往不够周延。我们会忽略重要的环节，也常常无法预料到各种意外和突发事件。虽然拟定计划能帮助我们避免发生财务短缺、时间紧迫和健康问题，但就算是最缜密的计划，也无法使我们避开人生中所有的问题。我们所处的是后伊甸园的堕落世界。

然而，靠着上帝的帮助，我们就能在谨慎地规划未来（箴言6章6-8节）和面对困难之间取得平衡。上帝允许发生在我们生活里的每个困境，通常都有祂的旨意。祂可能是要藉此培养我们的耐心、增添我们的信心，或是为了要让我们更亲近祂。圣经提醒我们，“人心多有计谋，惟有耶和华的筹算，才能立定”（19章21节）。当我们将自己未来的目标和盼望交托给耶稣，祂就会让我们看见，祂要在我们的生命里显明的作为，并要藉着我们成就什么样的事。

当计划失败或期望落空时，你会有什么反应？
上帝可能会藉此要你学到哪些事呢？

上帝，我相信祢掌管万有。
求祢帮助我能有智慧地在这世上生活，
并将我一切的计划都交托给祢