I gave in. I decided that I would destroy my goal-planning papers, and take each day as it comes. I decided not to try and figure out where I’m going to be in ten years. This was hard for me.

As a chronic goal-planner, I usually have my day set to the very minute. I know what I’ll be doing at 10 a.m., at 2 p.m. and at 8 p.m. I am structured and it has worked for me in the past. However, when I tried to set goals for the rest of the year, my mind stopped. I had a block. I couldn’t see past the current month.

I repeated my offer to God, “Okay Lord, You take control.”

I had said this in the past, but then returned to the driver’s seat. This time, I refreshed my commitment to the Lord and said again, “Your will be done. I will not impose my limited experience and knowledge onto the future. I will complete what needs to be done now and live one day at a time.”

I will not get in the way of Your plan for my life. I will receive whatever You have in store for me.

In serving God, I can find happiness. This is where I can find joy. I need to give up my own assumptions and expectations of the day and open myself to His leading. One day, He might ask that I spend time with Him, praying and reading from His Word. Another day, He may ask me to minister to a hurting friend.

However, each day, I must ask, “How can I serve You?” I need to let go of my rigid schedule. I need to listen for God’s prompting. I must not get caught up in my own plan, but I must be fluid enough to adjust to God’s plan.

Each day, I plan to ask the Lord what He has planned for me that day. I hope to follow God’s prompting for the rest of the day. Maybe down the road God will lead me to reintroduce a measure of goal setting while still maintaining flexibility.

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:10 NIV).