1 Nephi 4:6 Not Knowing Beforehand

It’s important to plan and to prepare.  For many projects, planning is indispensable, and a lack of planning would be irresponsible.  But there are times when we enter uncharted waters, when we can’t make a plan because we don’t have enough information.  There are also times when we start to execute a plan, and then circumstances change, rendering the plan obsolete.  In those situations, we need to follow the example of Nephi and move forward in faith, following the guidance of the Spirit.  We need to make decisions and take action without knowing what will happen next.  If Nephi had waited outside of the city until he had a comprehensive plan of action, he would never have learned that the Lord had delivered Laban into his hands.  It was only by acting decisively and fearlessly, believing that the Lord would direct his steps, that he was able to learn what the Lord wanted him to do next.

As I look at the tapestry of my life, I see patterns which I never could have designed: my planning horizon was too short and critical decision criteria were beyond my comprehension.  Looking back, I now recognize the rationale for such decisions as moving to a new city, attending a specific school, or accepting a job.  I see how relationships forged and skills learned in one place prepared me for opportunities I never could have anticipated.  At the time, I was simply making decisions based on the best information available to me, but in the aggregate, I see a grand plan in progress which is well beyond my ability to control or direct.

Today, I will look for the decisions I must make with incomplete information.  In those cases, I will follow the direction of the Spirit, trusting the Lord to reveal what I need to know along the way.  My prayer will be, “Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene–one step enough for me.”  (Hymn 97)