Our great grandson, Andrew is not quite one year old. And, he is going through the “investigator stage.” He can’t walk yet, but he has no trouble going from room to room, from one thing to another, discovering what the world at grandmother’s house looks like and feels like. One of his favorite investigation sites is the connector box where Poppa has several electronic devices attached. It seems there are a series of blinking lights which really foster a lot of curiosity on Andrew’s part.

Fearing that he might get an electrical shock (or, at minimum, disconnect Poppa’s devices), his grandmother has tried picking him up and turning him in another direction, or diverting his attention to some other activity and still his fascination with those lights keeps him coming back. Her latest intervention included turning him around and ever so lightly tapping the top of his hand while telling him, “No, No.” Evidently at some point she had also pointed her finger at him as well. Well, Mr. Andrew looks up at her with this really big smile on his face and points his finger back at her as if she was playing a game with him. He just didn’t get the message.

I think there is a very valuable lesson in Andrew’s story. Not for Andrew because he will get the message as time goes on; but for us. Sometimes we are so involved with our day to day activities that we fail to take into consideration our long terms goals and objectives for this life and for eternity. We tend to let one day drift into another without much thought about the potential impact on our future. What kind of values do I want my children to have? Am I doing those things which have eternal value? Am I spending time and money that I am really going to need in the future in terms of realizing my goals and objectives? Am I exercising the personal discipline that is required? Are my goals and objectives in line with spiritual precepts and commands?

 “Teach your children right from wrong, and when they are grown they will still do right.” Prov. 22:5 (cev)

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Prov. 21:6 (nkjv)

“Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.” Prov. 6:6 (nkjv)

“He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.” Prov. 10:5 (nkjv)

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (nkjv)

 NOT HAVING A PLAN IS A PLAN TO FAIL.