STAND OUT THROUGH PURPOSESample

Faith is Not Enough

I want to be careful with that title, because I believe in faith completely. But I need to challenge something we have turned faith into.

We have made faith a reason to be unprepared. We pray, and then we wait without a plan. We trust God, and then we do not sit down to count the cost. We say "God will provide" as a substitute for thinking things through.

Jesus asked a question about a man building a tower. He did not ask: does this man have faith? He asked: did he sit down first and count the cost? Strategy and faith are not opponents. They are partners. The man who plans and trusts God is far more dangerous than the man who simply hopes.

If you are not ready to commit to something, do not even approach it casually. Planning is one of the most important parts of anything you want to accomplish.

I remember visiting a friend’s office years ago. By August, they were already planning for 2026. Meanwhile, many of us are still waiting until January to start thinking seriously about the year ahead! Some organizations plan so far ahead that they are already working through budgets long before the next year arrives.

I once overheard a conversation about a department trying to figure out how to spend billions left in their annual budget before the year ended. I laughed and thought, “Lord, here I am; send me!” But beyond the humor, it reminded me that serious vision always requires serious planning.

About twenty years ago, three young men came to meet me because they wanted to become pilots. I told them to go and research the process before coming back. Only two returned.

One of them did such detailed research that he barely needed advice anymore. The other wanted to become a private jet pilot, but his research showed the training would cost about $50,000. He told me his father had never even given him 50,000 naira before, so this looked impossible.

But when his father saw how well documented the plan was, everything changed. He saw the vision, the structure, and the long-term potential. Eventually, he agreed to sponsor the training because the plan was clear.

When you truly plan, people can see your seriousness.

That is why Proverbs 16:3 says:

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

And Proverbs 16:9 says:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

I love that balance. God directs our steps, but He still expects us to have a plan. If you do not present anything to Him, what exactly is He directing?

Have a vision. Have a strategy. Have a Plan A, Plan B, and even Plan C if necessary. Then commit those plans to God and allow Him to guide your steps forward.

Step:

Write down one specific goal for this season. Then write down, in at least three steps, how you intend to pursue it. Hold both your plan and your trust in God at the same time. That is what faith with wisdom looks like.