Key Texts: Mark 6: 1 – 14; Luke 9: 1 – 6; Luke 22: 33 – 38; Matthew 27: 57 – 71
Additional Texts: Matthew 16: 21; Matthew 17: 22 – 23; Matthew 20: 18 – 19; Mark 8: 31; Mark 9: 31; Mark 10: 33 – 34; Luke 18: 31 – 33; John 2: 19 – 22
How many plans did you make in advance of or at the start of 2025? How many of those plans actually materialised? How many of those plans were amended, cancelled, or postponed? If your answer to those questions is ‘None’, I assume you either made no specific plans or you achieved everything you planned! Well done – seriously! Planning is common and often inescapable, but realistically, our intentions may produce unexpected results.
We are thankful for life to see the beginning of 2026, but if you are like me, you may already be pondering your plans. A common concern about our plans, (especially those God-given assignments or goals), is whether we will have enough of the relevant resources to succeed. Though we, (assuming the main readers of this blog are followers or seekers of Jesus), know that God is ultimately in control (Proverbs 16: 9), we are also human and consider how our needs will be met when such means are not readily available. Though we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5: 7), we are admittedly often wary of approaching situations unprepared. Though some may choose a casual or nonchalant approach to major decisions or assignments, there are many who want more control of outcomes and value the correlated planning to achieve this.
The ‘Show and Tell’ series continued for most of 2025, highlighting lessons from Jesus through His candidness and practical approaches to life as He walked the earth. It is only apt that in a week when (almost by default!) we revisit previous plans and decipher how to execute new ones for the year, Jesus’ approach to planning for our individual journeys and more so for our ultimate commission (Matthew: 19 – 20) may be helpful.
There are times when the Word is mysterious, causing us to doubt our understanding of it. In the key texts, Jesus advises the disciples about how to conduct their missions, but there seems to be some duplicity in His guidance. Initially, He advised the disciples to travel in pairs, taking nothing for the journey: He noted that they should not worry about taking provisions, personal luggage/belongings and money for their missions. He commanded them confidently, demonstrating His belief in divine provision for their mission fields. Let’s apply that in a twenty-first century context. Imagine travelling away from home for prolonged periods without your essentials: these may include your device(s), toiletries, choices of outfits, tickets, booking confirmations, guaranteed accommodation, or hair straighteners. How much confidence would you have in those plans? I imagine you would be at least slightly concerned! Yet, the Lord, in the form of Jesus, makes a point that when He guides us, our needs will be met. In Mark 6, He candidly told the disciples to also be selective though they would be without resources! They were to reject anyone who rejected them (and ultimately their message about Him), dusting their shoes off to indicate this. That’s a bold plan from the master planner, from which they had much success (Luke 22: 35; Mark 6: 13)! Jesus knew that God would provide for their needs.
Similar to His preparation of the disciples for ministry, Jesus also prepared them for His imminent death, burial, and resurrection on several occasions prior to Holy Week. Yet, in none of those conversations did He indicate any plans for a tomb; He cared not where His body would be buried! He taught precisely about what would happen, but the minor details were omitted. Other leaders/earthly kings would have made plans for their burial if they knew death was imminent, yet Jesus’ confidence in having no clearly expressed plan for these elements of His purpose is very telling; God’s purpose would prevail regardless of the fine print! God is conscientious, and I am sure He knew the minor details in advance, but these were not prioritised.
Despite this assurance and seemingly limited planning, as indicated in the key texts, Jesus also gave contrary advice later in His ministry. Prior to His crucifixion, He was still frank, but instead of telling the disciples to take nothing, He counselled them to be prepared with possessions, including swords. Whether He meant this metaphorically or literally, He wanted them to know that in His absence, there would be persecution and more rejection than they had faced on the initial missions. He knew that His death, burial, and resurrection would create chaos in their lives, and preparing for it was essential. That plan was in stark contrast to His previous plan for a similar mission.
What might we learn from these incidents? How might we know when to plan intricately as opposed to making general arrangements? When we have been commissioned by God, the challenges often seem insurmountable. How do we make plans whilst hoping for success, especially when we are acutely aware that we lack essential resources?
The answer is not one that I am fully confident in, but it is the one God has directed me to in a season of uncertainty: sometimes when the mission is clear but provision is a concern, one step at a time is all we are required to take. When God instructed Abraham to leave his homeland, the entire way was not clarified, yet He was with him and gave favour on every step towards his destiny (Genesis 12 – 22). When Jesus instructed His disciples on those separate occasions in the key texts, the circumstances and sources were different to Abraham’s; however, He was the same God, able to do exceedingly and abundantly above our thoughts or imagination (Ephesians 3:20). Likewise, when God fulfilled His promise of Jesus’ birth, Mary and Joseph did not exactly get a blueprint of all His plans; when they travelled for the census, there was no room in the inn for them, yet the master planner provided a lowly stable at the right time, and in alignment with His humility (Luke 2: 1 – 7). As daunting as it may seem to not always have all the details about our plans or God’s plans for us, the master planner always has a plan!
As we approach a new year, I cannot assure you that God will do what we expect. I cannot assure you that if you embark on missions for your personal lives or ministries that there will be no opposition. What we may be assured of though is God’s unchanging nature as demonstrated in Jesus’ candidness. Sometimes His provisions are supernatural, whereas at other times, He requires us to strategise. Either way, the only way to know His will is to spend time in the Word and in prayer, and follow the instructions for the next step as you await further guidance. It is, admittedly, a challenge for me to lack a comprehensive plan, and I’m sure it is the same for many of you. However, we are encouraged to trust God for His guidance and provision, as demonstrated by Jesus in the texts. He provided for the disciples on their missions and was with them through persecution. He had no pre-selected transitory burial spot, but He was buried and resurrected. Indeed, the lack of resources for Jesus in this way, as well as in the lives of the disciples He sent on missions, was because those were momentary roles; those states were preludes to His eternal state, reigning at the right hand (Colossians 3:1).
No one likes to have unmet needs. To clarify, this is not an invitation to live carelessly, thinking that God will provide everything supernaturally (though He is fully capable of doing so). (Luke 1:37; Jeremiah 32:17). Faith without works is indeed dead! (James 2: 14 – 26). It is rather a nudge to approach the ultimate planner with ultimate control of the lives of those submitted to Him, to ask for His guidance with an open mind about how He will provide; when you discern His direction, obey one step at a time, even when the full path is unclear. Do what you are able to in relation to your plans. Trust God – the one with the ultimate master plan for your life, with the parts of it which for the moment, seem unattainable or even impossible. Join me in my bid to accept this as a starting point for our plans, and cease procrastinating. Sometimes there are delays due to our inactivity!
Why not seek and trust Him with your plans for the year(s) ahead? Perhaps begin by actually being open with Him about them and seeking His will through the Word with an open mind – as seen in the texts, Jesus was not one-dimensional. He encouraged meticulous and strategic planning, and above all, dependence on Him, regardless of having all, few, or limited resources. My prayer for you is that you will have good success and a closer walk with God in the process of finding the balance between strategy and trust; remember – faith in God often requires action too. Try talking to Him about your plans for a few seconds, a minute or five today: He hears. May He grant you favour and guidance in your plans for the year ahead. Have a happy and blessed new year!
Heartfelt Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your unchanging nature. Whether You reveal all Your plans at once or incrementally, You are the ultimate, omniscient and loving Planner, in control of my life. Help me to remember that You don’t intend to harm me, and as seen in Jesus earthly ministry, anything that You withhold or don’t provide may not be needed for my journey, or it will be provided (in the form You choose) at the set time. You have multiple ways of providing and will ALWAYS provide for my purpose. I commend the year ahead to You – please guide my plans. Thanks for Your supreme plans and for Your unfailing nature. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s, Jesus’ name. Amen.
