Plans are part of life. We begin most projects—at least any worthwhile ones—with a plan in mind. It’s wise to plan. Vision makes progress. Plans make reality. Thoughts about tomorrow make tomorrow flourish. Plans don’t always work out, but that’s no excuse for not having them. No one knows what a day will bring, but being ready helps to endure or enjoy whatever comes. Following are some suggestions for the week ahead, plans that can make it a rewarding week, no matter what happens.

Practice your religion. Someone has said, “practice makes perfect.” We understand that exaggeration, because nobody every actually reaches perfection. But practice sends us in that direction and gets us as close as possible. Practicing your religion makes you more like the Master. He is emphatic about that. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (). Have you a plan for practicing your religion next week? You won’t get completely there, but you’ll come as close as your talent, circumstances, and opportunities will allow.

Tell somebody who you are. Your name is important. It identifies who you are. The name your wear religiously is the same. It identifies who you are. Too many of us are timid about telling people about Jesus. Somebody has said that there are two things you should never discuss—religion and politics. I don’t know much about politics, but religion is absolutely the most important thing you can discuss. Sure, most folks won’t listen; but that doesn’t excuse anyone. We may be able to teach the very next one. Remember the value of a soul () then go out and find one for Jesus this week.

Help someone who is hurting. The world is filled with people who are looking for something they can’t identify. That something is satisfaction, peace. It can only come when they find the Lord and submit to Him. You can help that. People are hurting. Rather than just sympathizing with them, tell them what they need to hear about their hurt. Even physical hurt is made easier to bear when you know you’re right with the Lord. “As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good to all men….” ().

Try to improve. There is no room in the life of the true Christian for sluggishness, inactivity, and procrastination. You can’t coast to heaven. Rest is reserved for those who have finished the job, worked the work, done their duty. Rest is not here, but there. We should keep trying all the time, never giving in to the tendency to put it off or wait for another week. “Today is the day of salvation” (). Improvement takes planning. Where am I? What can I do to be better? Where can I improve my weak areas? Who can I get to help me? All these questions are pertinent to our needs and should be frequently asked.

Work at it this week. Let’s all try to practice what we preach, let somebody know about the Savior, help some hurting soul, and have a plan for improving. We’ll all be considerably better next week if we will.