Most people if asked will convince you they have a plan and they know where they are going. However when you ask some people, I’m sure they will say “well I have a rough idea, but not sure how to map it out”.
That’s the reality for many people as they walk through life without knowing where they are going, how will they get there and what will it look like when hey arrive. So I guess very few people have some sort of plan, seriously this was the case for me many years ago. So what happened, well firstly I worked with my wife in our consulting business and in that process I came across a simple 4 step process that effectively changed my thinking and also I came to know our Lord Jesus.
What would be our reaction if those we asked said simply “Yes” God directs my path! I am fairly sure many will would look perplexed, bewildered smile and say oh! Either ask ok great but what are you doing with your life or simply say “that’s fine” and walk away thinking wrong thoughts, how mad, how odd what a strange person.
The bible clearly tells Christians what to do and there are three scriptures for me that clearly tell me, to rely on God and not my ways:
Hebrews 12 v 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Proverbs 3:5-6 (AMP) Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Psalms 118:8 (AMP) It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
I know God has given our ministry direction/vision, however we do have to plan out that vision. We are working towards it step by step, day by day, no matter what life events come our way or what people say or think.
Even when God gives you a vision or assignment what do you do, I thinks it’s important to take action and the simplest action to take is to write your goal/vision down.
Let’s simplify this it’s a simple 4 step process that stood us in good stead when running our business, charity and ministry. Once you have a clear idea/vision of where you are going need a map and asking yourself these four questions.
Q1. Where am I going?
Q2. How will I get there?
Q3. When I get there what will it look like?
Q4. What steps can I take now to begin my journey?
So simple yet so inspirational as Proverbs 29:18 says: Where there is no vision, the people perish. Knowing where you are going and how it fits into God’s plan for you is key to your future so how do we do this when the world is so full of people telling you you must’s and should’s.
What we really need is “Clarity, Clarity, Clarity.” Without clear direction from God we will wander and not fulfil our part in His plan.
What to do!
Firstly Write and Rewrite Your Goals,
The more you write and rewrite your goals and the more you think about them, the clearer you will become about them.
The clearer you are about what you are being asked to do, the more likely you are to do more and more of the things that are consistent with achieving them. Meanwhile, you will do fewer and fewer of the things that don’t help to take positive steps towards the goal, vision that has been set out for you by God.
Secondly adhere to the Seven Step Process for Achieving Goals and one more!
Here is the simple, six-step process that you can use to achieve your goals.
1. Find a quiet space, talk to and listen to God, He will direct you in each area of your life.
2. Write it down, clearly and in detail; Set a specific deadlines.
3. If it is a large goal, break it down into sub-deadlines and write them down in order;
4. Make a list of everything you can think of that you are going to have to do to achieve your goal. As you think of new items, add them to your list;
5. Organise the items on your list into a plan by placing them in the proper sequence and priority;
6. Take action immediately on the most important thing you can do on your plan.
Do something every day that moves you toward the attainment of one or more of your important goals.
Oh! There’s one more and the most important step without which you will wander aimlessly, get before God, pray, seek guidance ask the Holy Spirit to guide you daily and prompt you what you wander off the straight path.
Maintain the momentum!
Apparently it’s a fact that fewer than three percent of adults have written goals and plans that they work on every single day. When you sit down and write out your goals, you move yourself into the top 3% of peoplety.
Review Your Goals Weekly.
Finally remember what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:14 (KJV) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
To press towards means to pursue to follow, to chase after, to lay all aside so you may follow Jesus
Also what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Run your race that has been set before you, run no one else’s but yours, the one specifically set aside by God for you to achieve.
Removing Barriers Releasing Potential 