Thursday, Oct 31, 2013 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. Proverbs 31:15–16 Immediately following the fall of France to the invading German army in 1940, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt began discussing how to drive Hitler’s forces back and liberate Europe. Planning this invasion began in earnest in 1942—a full two years before the Normandy invasion that came to be called Operation Overlord. The massive invasion that began the toppling of Hitler from power required so much manpower and machinery that it could not be quickly put together. Instead, long and careful planning was required to increase the likelihood of success. While there are occasions when an opportunity suddenly arises, most significant accomplishments require diligent planning and preparation. For instance, over the years, our church family has built a number of buildings for the work of our ministry. We do not call for the bulldozers and steelworkers to show up first—instead we talk to architects and engineers. The construction of the building is what is visible, but that is the result of careful work that must begin long before the building starts to rise out of the ground. The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 planned meals for her family and their workers before the day started. That is careful short-term planning. Beyond that, the Bible tells us that she bought a field and planted a vineyard. This is careful long-term planning. It takes years before a vineyard becomes productive. But she was looking to the future, considering what she would need in the coming years, and making preparations for it. Faith in God does not free us from the necessity of making wise plans. Instead of hoping things will work out somehow, we should do all we can to prepare for success. Then we must trust in the Lord for the outcomes. Today’s Proverbs Precept: In all of your decisions, consider the long-term as well as the immediate outcomes.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Oct 2013 09:59:18 +0000