Over the last 25 years working with people I have never met a person who planned to fail. No one ever plans to be buried under a mountain of debt, see their marriage fall apart, raise selfish children, watch their business evaporate, or  loose their home.

So why does it happen? Because people never plan NOT to fail. It is like they believe success is a given, automatic, just show up and you get it: great marriage, successful business, wonderful children.

This is why people tell themselves “follow your heart”, or “trust your feelings” or “do what you want” and then when things fail they end up asking: How did I get here?

The truth is that great marriages happen when two people have a plan to build one. Great children are raised when parents have a plan to raise great children, great careers are a result of great plans. Adults understand that the potential to fail is greater than the potential to succeed. Therefore, I will plan for success.

Listen to what Paul wrote to the Ephesians,

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Be careful how you should live. Wise people have a plan for success in their marriages, their careers, with their kids, in their churches. They reap what they sow. So my question is simple: are you wise or unwise?

This is courage, the willingness to ask yourself the question: what is the wise thing to do, and then doing it. You won’t find a better definition.

Pastor Doug