by. Rev. James Wong
It has been said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Trusting in the leading of God does not negate the need for planning.
This was what Jesus said concerning the necessity of counting the cost; "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish' (Luke 14:28-30 NIV).
Then Jesus gave another example in which a king should evaluate his military strength before going into battle. He said, "… suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:31).
Words like “first sit down and estimate the cost” and “first sit down and consider” are clearly a planning process. Proverbs says, “We should make our plans—counting on God to direct us” (Prov. 16:9 LB). How to go about planning for the year 2010? Think about life as a journey and relate planning to a journey.
1. In every journey there must be a Clear Purpose. Begin with your purpose. What is God calling you to do or to be in this new year? Where does he want you to go from here?
2. In every journey there must be a Clear Destination. In this phrase of planning you look down the road to the future and define your destination. This is called goal setting. Where do you want to reach and how far can you go on the journey this year?
3. In every journey you must have a clear map which is your Action Plan. The Action Plans will describe exactly how you will reach your destination (goals).
4. In every journey there must be a Departure Date. After all the plans have been made and action plans have been in place, you must launch out on the journey by faith into the undiscovered world. In this journey you will not be alone for God will be with us, leading us all the way. So start planning today for ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’
This was what Jesus said concerning the necessity of counting the cost; "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish' (Luke 14:28-30 NIV).
Then Jesus gave another example in which a king should evaluate his military strength before going into battle. He said, "… suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:31).
Words like “first sit down and estimate the cost” and “first sit down and consider” are clearly a planning process. Proverbs says, “We should make our plans—counting on God to direct us” (Prov. 16:9 LB). How to go about planning for the year 2010? Think about life as a journey and relate planning to a journey.
1. In every journey there must be a Clear Purpose. Begin with your purpose. What is God calling you to do or to be in this new year? Where does he want you to go from here?
2. In every journey there must be a Clear Destination. In this phrase of planning you look down the road to the future and define your destination. This is called goal setting. Where do you want to reach and how far can you go on the journey this year?
3. In every journey you must have a clear map which is your Action Plan. The Action Plans will describe exactly how you will reach your destination (goals).
4. In every journey there must be a Departure Date. After all the plans have been made and action plans have been in place, you must launch out on the journey by faith into the undiscovered world. In this journey you will not be alone for God will be with us, leading us all the way. So start planning today for ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’
No comments:
Post a Comment