A Verse That Made Me Smile

"Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness." Proverbs 14:2

This verse just made me think of an old B-movie, or an old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon. Can't you just see a villian like Snidely, with the pointy moustache, working so hard to "plot evil" and then in the end his plot is foiled by the good guys? And the good guy- our hero, follows through on his good plan, and then ends up beating the bad guy, and receiving the adoration of many- usually a girlfriend included.

It just made me chuckle a bit this morning, to see this very premise laid out in Proverbs. It's so true, of course, and we've seen it on movie screens and televisions for years. But really think about it. People who "plot evil" do eventually go astray. They work hard at their plan, but in the end something trips them up- and usually it's themselves. I think of someone who has a problem with lying. They get so caught up in telling their lies that eventually even they come to believe their lies or they fabricate so many stories that they can't keep them straight.

Instead, we should try to be the person who plans for good. We want to be the hero who makes plans that result in love and faithfulness. We want to plan for the future in a way that will glorify God. That's really what it comes down to. Are we planning for a future full of "stuff" and things and keeping up with the neighbors? Or are we planning for what we can do to bring more followers for Christ? There's certainly nothing wrong with taking care of ones self or family, but we need to keep an eye on the prize as well. We want to spend eternity with our Lord, and all the stuff here on earth won't matter to that end. And a plan for evil, not only will it ultimately fail, but in the end, when you are standing in front of God, that evil plot will be revealed to all, and do you really want that? I don't think so.