Plan in Pencil

Plan in Pencil. 

What does it mean?

As soon as I heard this phrase, I was struck at once by its simplicity and its strength. 

A friend explained to me that God instructs us to plan in pencil and that we must "let Him have the eraser". 

Wow! What trust it takes. No, what faith it takes to simply plan in pencil. Open to the smudges it might create on the pages of life. Willing to allow someone else, someone greater, to plan the small intricacies of our days.

My  friend said it rather off-handedly, but nonetheless with such conviction. 

I was instantly reminded of what a teacher had told me in middle school. My teacher said, "I don't allow any of my students to write in pencil. I require that every assignment be written in pen. That means that all my students will have to confidently plan what they write in advance. No second guessing."

It was interesting that both of these statements had such a profound impact on me. Both seemed to convey certain truths about the different ways one may live their life.

There is certainly nothing wrong with literally writing in pen, but next time you sit down to write down your goals, or plans for your life, consider what you're writing them with. 

Are your plans set in stone?  Written in pen, both unalterable, and unable to be shaped and molded by the Creator of this earth.

Or instead are you writing in pencil, allowing God to guide the words you are writing, open to changes that conform to His will rather than yours?

As I sat there next to my friend who urged me with conviction to "plan in pencil", I was sure that God was urging me to set down my pen, and pick up my pencil. 

Oh, and God ... I'm handing the eraser to you!