I like to make plans. I have a thought on something I'd like to do. The thought germinates and grows into a concrete idea, then a hope, and ultimately a dream goal I'd like to see become a reality.

Then I make a plan.

Usually the plan is something I've worked out completely in my head. How the original thought or idea is going to be recieved by others (this is called "scripting, btw" and is not necessarly a good thing), arguments to support the idea if there is opposition, steps to achieve whatever the goal of the plan is.

I am always convinced it's a good idea, a fantastic plan, and do what I need to do in order to push my agenda to final fruition. And then God closes the door. Puts up a roadblock. Places a huge stop sign in the middle of the whole thing.

I don't necessarily pay attention to the signs, or listen to the sound of impending doom most of the time. I insist things are not progressing because the enemy doesn't want me to do "the grand plan" (because I am always convinced God is on board with whatever my goals might be) and continue to push. I attempt to follow my plan to completion, no matter the cost and almost always to my own detriment.

Alright, so maybe that was more of the way I used to do things in the past.

I've learned over the years, thankfully, to pay attention when my plans go awry. It's not always because God has shut a door, and some times when He does He opens a window (much as when a temptation is being faced in life...there is always a way of escape) because the direction I'm going is wrong. The idea or plan may be right on target, but the path is incomplete, the road up ahead is dangerous. Maybe the timing is off for maximum success.  Whatever the case...if God intervenes in a situation...it's time for my plans and schemes to go out the window.

The best idea is to follow God's plan. It's not always easy to know what that is, and some times it involves an inordinant amount of waiting. However, when choosing "Door Number One" it's usually best to take the advice of the One who knows what's on the other side.