DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?

In 1971 Marvin Gaye released a landmark album titled, What’s Going On. One of the hit singles from the album was a song titled, Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler). The single depicted the ghettos of inner-city America and how the bleak living conditions would lead to someone wanting to holler and throw their hands up in frustration. The single, along with the very popular hit single, What’s Going On, appealed to the masses due to the social unrest at that time. It was during a time period when America was at war and the economy of was in conflict. The country was experiencing inflation and President Nixon imposed wage and price controls on the entire economy. Due to the Arab Oil Boycott, the country also experienced oil shortages.    

We are now in an age thirty-seven years later where history has once again repeated itself. We are again at war, anticipating a recession in our economy, and spending astronomical prices for gas. Today we shout the question Marvin presented in song thirty-seven years ago, “What’s going on?” and it’s still enough to make us want to holler. The good news dear friend is that God is still God. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever and according to His word in Philippians 4:19, it states, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. We serve a recession-proof God. Although we are in the world, we are not of the world. As believers, we live under the protection of God’s economy despite what may be happening around us and in this country. 

There is not much that you can do as an individual about raising gas prices, people being laid off by the thousands daily, or a failing economy. If that is not enough, we still have to deal with that old devil too. But, if you truly believe the bible and God’s infallible word, then you can still wake up daily with joy in your heart knowing your circumstances are in God’s hands and He is the source of your joy, strength, and prosperity. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they might have it more abundantly".  

It is important that during this time of uncertainty, there is one thing that you can be certain of and that is God still has a purpose and plan for you and His word will not return void concerning His plans for you. So, as you go through the daily trails that all believers and non-believers go through, just remember the words of James 1:1-4, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”.  I don’t know about you, but I definitely like that “lacking nothing” part. 

My friend, the next time life is getting next to you and you get frustrated and want to throw your hands and holler, I say go ahead and do it. But when you do it, raise your hands in praise and shout out the name that is above all names. Shout “JESUS!” It is He who will always be there for you through thick and thin and you can always count on Him to bring you through the fire.    

DeWayne Owens is a Motivational Speaker, Best-Selling Author, and Trainer. He is the Owner & President of Maximum Motivation Training Systems. DeWayne is a member of Stepping Stones of McKinney Church in McKinney, Texas.  

You can visit DeWayne at www.DewayneOwens.com or email him at Dewayne@DewayneOwens.