Hold Your Horses

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 21

Gold Nugget

Verse 5: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but the plans of everyone who is hasty, will surely be brought to poverty.”

Commentary

The worst idea is the good idea that was poorly executed. As a former consultant, I was often in front of clients helping them implement industry best practices to increase efficiency and productivity. On occasion, the client would grasp the idea and try to implement it without being diligent in planning out the necessary prerequisites to ensure its success. As today’s “gold nugget” says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but the plans of everyone who is hasty, will surely be brought to poverty.” The old saying, “Good things come to those who wait” still holds true. Just like picking fruit too early or pulling the silver out of the fire before it is purified; trying to reap benefits too early can ruin opportunities for prosperity. Getting married too soon, changing jobs too soon, buying that vehicle or getting into that big house payment before you are financially ready can only bring you to emotional and financial bankruptcy. Waiting for things to develop and opportunities to open demonstrates patience and endurance.

Just like trying to grow up too early or retire too early, waiting for the natural or appropriate order of things can increase the probability for happiness. Especially in our walk with the Lord, we find that Jesus teaches of the drawbacks from trying to develop too quickly. Consider His words in the Parable of the Sower from Matthew 13 when He teaches about the sower that cast his seeds upon the earth, “Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away.” Sometimes we have great opportunities for success, but we try to pick the fruit too early or fail to plant the seed deep enough to ensure strong roots. Consider today the desires you have that may not have evolved to the point you wanted them to. Don’t be tempted to act too quickly. Your patience will increase the probability of success.

Prayer

Lord, I know there have been times that I bailed on a good idea or plan that you had for me because of being impatient. Help me to see the benefit of waiting on you to open doors instead of me climbing through a window. Amen

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