Plan for Your Future
By: Xavier Woon
Tags: Christian Living, Leadership, Parenting, Family, Catholic

Failure to plan is planning to fail

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Reflection Mark 14:12–21

On the first day of the Unleavened Bread, Jesus’s disciples asked where they would be having the Passover Meal. This was another opportunity for Jesus to talk about His crucifixion, death & resurrection. However, His disciples may not believe Him since this event has yet to occur. To address their unbelieve, Jesus foretold a series of events that would happen as He described. He told two of His disciples that a man with a jar of water would greet them. This was unusual because, a woman, rather than a man, would carry a jar of water. How did He know that? Then Jesus also knew the availability of a guest room in Jerusalem when most of His ministry was in Galilee and Capernaum. How did He know that? Jesus also knew this room was large enough and furnished to house His disciples. The host would also provide bread for all of them. How did He know that?!!! Jesus seemed to know everything beforehand. Hence, when He foretold that one of them would betray Him, it would most likely be true. This troubled His disciples very much.

Corporate Leadership

Jesus knew that His disciples would face great difficulties after His death. Hence, He gave them the assurance that all of these were part of God’s plan. He demonstrated this effectively by foretelling the events that would happen and they did! This was different from fortune-telling. In fortune-telling, the fortune-teller has no control over what will happen. For Jesus, the events to come were part of His plan. Likewise, a good leader knows the importance of planning. If he failed to plan, he planned to fail! In planning, he envisions the outcome he desires and how it fits into the objectives of the company. He plans for the finances, the right people for the right job, the resources they need & the training necessary for the job. When the planning is well thought out, his staff will more likely support it and make it happen. Donald Henry Rumsfeld, a former US Secretary of Defense, said, “Think ahead. Don’t let day-to-day operations drive out planning.” — XW

Family Leadership

When Jesus started off His ministry, He taught the Jews and healed the sick. Many miracles He performed affirmed Him as the Son of God. Nearing the end of His ministry, He began to talk about the future more often. This was done in preparation for Him leaving them. As parents, this same pattern also applies. When children are still young, parents have to teach them constantly. They fall sick and parents have to take care of them. As children grow up, parents also have to talk to them about their future. This is when children realize they have to take on responsibilities, learn to be independent, manage their own finances & make decisions. Like the disciples who had to grow up spiritually to help the early Christians, children will also need to grow up, plan for their future & contribute to the family well being. Malcolm Forbes, an American entrepreneur said, “Thinking well to be wise: planning well, wiser: doing well wisest and best of all.” — XW

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