Can you believe we're already in the 4th quarter of 2021?! It's crazy how this year has flown by! If you're anything like me, you may be evaluating your 2021 vision board or your goal list, wondering how you can tackle those things that haven't come to pass yet. It's very clear that more of 2021 is now behind us, but we still have some time to work with in this last quarter.
Now for my list, I know I won't be able to accomplish everything I hoped for before 2022. Nevertheless, I know what the Lord has promised me and I know He's faithful to perform. In June of this year, God gave me a powerful 3-point system that I want to share with you. Here's how you can receive all that God has for you: Pray, Prepare, & Position.
1. PRAY. Before moving forward with any idea, goal, or plan, the first thing we should always do is pray. We have the ability to come up with so many great and wonderful ideas, but we have to always remember Jeremiah 29:11 :
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
God knows the plans for our lives. So much better than we may think we do ourselves. If the plan is not God-ordained, then we shouldn't be trying to pursue it. And even if it is ordained by God, it may not be the season for it. So whatever you're looking to achieve, take it up to God in prayer. Pray for wisdom. Pray for direction and guidance. Pray for His will to be done. Even pray for vision if you feel God has more for you to visualize. This step is so crucial because if we really want to have a God-centered life, we have to include Him in everything. Philippians 4:6 says:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
2. PREPARE. Now once you have the vision and you have God's approval, it's go time! But you can't jump into it immediately. You have to prepare, right? One of the first steps and easiest ways to do this is to WRITE. IT. DOWN. I often think of the words God spoke to Habakkuk:
"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry." Habakkuk 2:2-3
There are some things we plan and prepare for that may not happen until months or years down the line. This passage above reminds us that everything has its appointed time. (also see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) So whatever vision God has given you, make sure to write it down so you don't lose sight of it! Create specific action steps to achieve the goal(s). (Don't forget to make it plain.) It's not enough to just simply say, "I want to purchase a new car in 2022." How are you going to make that happen? Honestly, the real question is, "What tools/resources/insights has God given you to make sure the vision comes to pass?" Let's run with the new car example. What specific car do you want? Sedan? SUV? Truck? What are your savings goals? How much will you save each month? What dealership(s) are you considering? Who can you get in contact with to find a great deal? There are so many more questions that could be asked and the more you answer, the plainer it gets.
3. POSITION. Once you've prepared yourself, now it's time to position. This is the time to evaluate where you are physically, mentally, and spiritually. Are you in a position to receive the blessings? Are you in a position to carry out the vision God gave you? If not, now is the time to work on positioning yourself to a space that will serve you and God well. Here's what Hebrews 12:1 tells us:
"...strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
You may have to let some friends go. You may need to draw back from hanging out so much or Netflix and chilling. Instead, you could spend more of your time cultivating the vision. Remember, faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
Of course, God gives us all different visions, so your steps of positioning may look very different than mine. I'd also like to add that this is why prayer should be continual throughout this entire process, so you know exactly how to position yourself. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Through your praying, preparing, and positioning, I pray you stay encouraged! I pray you continue to believe what the Lord has shown you so you may work towards seeing that thang come to fruition. Amen?!
Peace & Blessings Always,
टिप्पणियां