Something an acquaintance of ours wrote in his blog:

So what does one do when their dream dies? If you’re anything like me, you pick yourself up and make logical adjustments in spite of how you feel and in spite of what others may think of you.

I know that there were some who thought that I was foolish to walk away from my dream after putting so much time, energy, and money into it, but there are times that instead of continuing to feed a money pit, it’s better to cut your losses and walk away with your sanity still in tact.

I’m now living in a studio apartment in the city waiting for someone to call me with news that they want to buy my land. I have a job secured but won’t be able to start for couple weeks yet and money is getting tight so I could use the money to offset expenses while I wait to start working.

Am I angry at G-d? Why should I be? It was my decision to move to Missouri not his. It was also my idea to try to build on my land. I think I wasted a lot of time and energy, not to mention money, on my dream.
Maybe had I sought G-d more, he may have revealed to me a better way to accomplish my dream.

So, what's wrong with this picture? Plenty! While it sounds noble, it lacks any shred of truth.

This person purchased some property and moved to the country. While a noble step towards one's dream, it should be noted that he went without a pair of gloves, no flashlight, no knife, boots or warm, winter coat. He doesn't know how to build a fire, yet planned for no other source of heat than a wood stove. After sealing the roof of his $200 mobile home (yes, it's true), you could still see daylight through the ceiling, yet he complained when it leaked and destroyed his ceiling. He bought a gas stove to cook on, yet he had no propane. He tore out the kitchen with no idea how to rebuild it. He did the same in the bathroom. Almost two years later, it still wasn't done. Against the advice of someone who knows better, he plugged an electric heater into wiring that was unfit for the load, risking the fiery destruction of his haphazard home. He cursed the heater that was woefully ineffective in warming the rickety beer can. He threw embarrassing temper tantrums when he perpetually got stuck in the snow and mud because he didn't know how to drive. He daily confessed that he just wanted to die, angry that Yahweh would not kill him.

In the span of two years, he "lived" in his dream a total of less than 60 days because, as he said, it wasn't fit to live in. He chose, rather to live with others, rather than work on his own place, spending his days and nights surfing the Internet. Apparently for him, this equates to so much time, energy, and money that he referenced in his post.

Contrary to his public announcement, this man didn't walk away from a dream. He failed miserably because he didn't have a plan and now he wants to sell his land that has a stream of sewer running through the middle of it. After he left, he told people he moved to another state because he was offered a job there, yet two weeks later, he states he will start a new job in another two weeks. He never called the people he was staying with to tell them that he would not be back. Cowardice knows no pride or consideration.

This acquaintance now spins a noble story of spiritual growth, when a mere two weeks ago, he was still shouting angrily at Yahweh because He wouldn't let him win the lottery because he needed the money. He was angry with Yahweh because his life was in shambles and he blamed everyone else for his continual failures.

Maybe had I sought G-d more, he may have revealed to me a better way to accomplish my dream.

It is not difficult to understand the requirements for success.

Luke 14:28-35

14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?
14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him,
14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
14:34 Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; [but] men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Failure to plan is planning to fail and no matter how you spin the miserable results, failure is failure, pure, plain and simple. It is never noble, no matter how many times you claim to have grown spiritually from the habitual experience.

There is coming a calamity where a failure to plan will be catastrophic and no amount of spin will change a person's miserable state. Sadly many people know that this acquaintance of ours will continue to repeat the lesson until he gets it right. In the last year, he has had 5 jobs and moved back and forth between states three times, which proves he still has not learned. Those who know him understand why he continues to fail miserably. He doesn't have a plan and blames others when things fall apart.

Do you have a plan? Are you making progress in the things you set out to do? Do you dare ask yourself, "What if?" What if things do not go according to plan? Are you ready for that? The Scriptures tells us to pray that our flight be not in winter, but what if it is? Are you ready for that? The man who made the damage control post in his blog won't be. What if he knocks on your door?

Matthew 25:1-13

25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.
25:3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
25:9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Twenty virgins showed up. Ten failed to plan. They talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk and it cost them dearly.

We've all been warned that the day is coming and we should be prepared. Unfortunately for the foolish, no one will be around to read their blog.

• Topic: Good Steward

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