What's Your Plan?

Easter is this Sunday.  In the life of the preacher Easter is the Super Bowl.  It is the single largest attended Sunday of the year - every year.   And I'm actually not as stressed as I usually am at this time.  Part of the reason is that I have a plan.  I started message prep early.  I got some time in on the message yesterday and I plan to have a working outline by the end of the day today.

What's your plan for today?

You've probably heard it said that if you fail to plan you plan to fail.  That's the axiom that hit me as I read through my bible reading from yesterday.  Paul says in Romans 13:14, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

As Easter approaches every year there are lots of provisions that have to be secured.   We do a huge Easter egg hunt every year following Sunday service with candy filled eggs and special notes in some of the eggs that get the finder special large prizes.  There is music to plan and rehearse.  Volunteers to be solicited and trained and time with God that must not be overlooked.

While on the treadmill this morning the Holy Spirit spoke this thought to my mind, the more I pursue the Jesus the less time I have to pursue evil.  Truth is, most sin doesn't just sneak up on us.  Now, we say it does - I didn't mean to, it just happened, I slipped.  Truth is, 90% of the time we've made provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.  Sometimes that looks like staying up after everyone has gone to bed.  Spending too much time on our electronic devices.  Turning so no one can see or covering up the truth with a irritated comment.  I know that I have thought about ways to make sin work.  Planned it.  Orchestrated it.  And then fell prey to it and felt overwhelming guilt.

Today, make plans to pursue Jesus.  If you're intentional about Jesus you won't have time to be intentional about sin.  Fill your down time with things that benefit your spiritual growth.  Organize your time for Jesus and you won't have time for the flesh.