Wednesday May 24, 2006

Hope is Not a Plan

Anderson Cooper, CNN News

Yesterday as I was listening to an interview with Anderson, he was asked about the quote, “Hope is Not a Plan”, in his new book. 

He replied that it was his conclusion after talking to the mayor of New Orleans about the city’s preparedness (or lack thereof) for a major hurricane.  Anderson said there seemed to be a lot of hopes, but very few solid plans.

It grabbed my attention.  I have been thinking about it all day.  Hope is not a plan. 

What if someone just hoped trains could travel across our country, but no one did anything about laying tracks or building trains?

“Hope is not a plan” can be applied to almost anything.  Hope is not a plan if you want to get out of debt.  Hope is not a plan if you want to lose weight.  Hope is not a plan if you want to drop a bad habit.

MOST IMPORTANTLY

Hope is not a plan if you want a relationship with God. 

Because God had a “plan” from the beginning of time to send His Son, Jesus, to redeem us unto Himself, we can walk with Him today and spend eternity in His presence.  

However, fellowship with God does not happen because we hope so.  It takes a “plan” (decision) on our part to accept, believe, and follow Jesus Christ. 

Never forget it!  Hope is not a plan if you want to spend forever in the presence of God.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV