Help Needed

James had unwrapped all of his birthday presents except one. It was a small truck that had a bubble of plastic over it that was sealed to a piece of cardboard. He tried desperately to separate the plastic from the cardboard but had no success. Initially, he thought he could separate the two by trying to slip his small fingernail between them. But his nail was too short. Then he tried to carefully squeeze the plastic to see if it would “open up” enough space for him to get his hand on the truck. That plan failed, too. Then he put the plastic bubble on the table and pushed on the cardboard thinking that was the solution. Frustrated, he looked at the little truck with teary eyes. It was a prize that became more valuable each time he tried to unwrap it.

Then he looked up at his Dad and asked, “What can I do to get my truck out of the box?”

“Well,” said his Dad, “you could ask me for help.”

Every plan that James had and tried failed. They all seemed sensible to him, but when he tried to make them work, nothing happened. Then he lifted his eyes and found someone who would help him to achieve his goal successfully.

“In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” is great wisdom, worth accepting, and constantly applying. We may design detailed, thorough plans to reach our goals, but when we attempt to make them work with our own strength, applying our own wisdom, we will become frustrated and discouraged when they fail. It’s essential to include the Lord in the praying and pre-planning stage, and then work with Him until they are fulfilled.

Prayer: Lord, we all want to succeed in everything we do. May we recognize how critical it is to always include You in everything we do, from the beginning to the end. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Proverbs 16:9 In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.