"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
I wonder if you do something that I've done so many times in the past. I've thought about what I could do for God. I've daydreamed about things I could accomplish for Him. I might even set goals to get these dreams accomplished.
This was wrong thinking!!! Goodness. As Blackaby says in his Experiencing God study God didn't ask Noah what his plans were. God didn't ask Noah what Noah's goals or dreams were. God told Noah what to do. God told Noah to build an ark because of what God was planning on doing. He invited Noah into His plan. It didn't matter what Noah had been hoping to do. God's purposes were what mattered.
Let me quote Blackaby. This quote comes from pages 80 and 81 in the 2005 edition of the study:
When God was about to do something, He took the initiative to come to His servants. He spoke to reveal His purposes and plans. Then He could involve them and accomplish His purposes through them (think of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, Peter, etc).
In contrast, we set about to dream our dreams of what WE want to do for God. Then we tend to make long-range plans based on priorities of our choosing. What is important is what God plans to do where we are, and how He wants to accomplish it through us.
Your plans and purposes must be God's plans and purposes or you will not experience God working through you. God reveals His purposes so you will know what He plans to do. Then you can join Him.
Isn't that great! This is wisdom straight from God. If we do it any other way we aren't doing it God's way and it won't last. We are doing it through our flesh.
An example comes to mind: think of a rising actress who is very popular. She makes several successful films. She's beautiful. She is where the money is. But then she makes a series of films that are mediocre and she no longer is the shining star. The world forgets about her and her past work fades into history.
That's how our work in Christiandom can be if we aren't doing it God's way.