We love beginnings.
The rush of a fresh idea.
The excitement of the first step.
The energy of “Let’s go!”

But Jesus taught us:

“Which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” (Luke 14:28)

Most dreams don’t collapse because they were too ambitious.
They collapse because the builder never sat down long enough to respect the weight of what they were about to attempt.

The tower didn’t fail at the top — it failed at the table where no one sat down.

Planning isn’t fear.
Planning isn’t doubt.
Planning is stewardship.
It is honouring the future by preparing for it.

A pilot once landed a plane safely after a terrifying approach.
As the aircraft descended, something felt wrong — the plane was tilted at an angle.
If the pilot continued, the landing gear would catch the runway and the whole plane would overturn.

So the moment the wheels brushed the tarmac… he pulled up.
Full throttle.
Up and away.
Another try.

The second attempt was smooth.
Passengers cheered.
They were relieved.
A disaster avoided.

Someone asked the pilot how he made such a decisive call so fast.

He said,
“I didn’t make that decision today.
I made it 20 years ago in a simulator.
I practiced every scenario that could go wrong.
I prepared for this moment long before it arrived.”

This is what Jesus meant.
Preparation isn’t pessimism — it’s love.
It’s courage.
It’s honouring the call by sitting down before you stand up.

Because the truth is simple:
A dream without planning becomes a public caution — “This person began to build and was not able to finish.” (Luke 14:30)

But a dream backed by preparation becomes a testimony.

So pause today.
Sit down.
Ask the uncomfortable questions while the foundation is still on paper.

Faith builds. Wisdom plans. The combination finishes.