GlocalNet

There is a tension that we all live in, it’s the one where we know we have to think deeply, plan strategically, and at the same time be open to what God puts in our path in order to fulfill his will for our lives and make a difference.  Every year about this time there are some things that I do that I view as absolutely critical that impact everything I’ll be doing for the next 2 years.  Why 2?  Because what I do with next year, determines which direction I face and what will be lead into the year after that.
 
Planning isn’t cutting God’s Spirit out of our life.  If anything, if done properly it’s building on what he’s already done - narrowing the mission and vision of what God has called you to and allowing you to go deeper and become far more fruitful.  It’s a grid on which you operate but at the same time God can change as he will. 

Step one - I start reading my journal from the past year over and over again.  It’s about 200 handwritten pages.  If you don’t do this, I encourage you to.  I wasn’t a “journaler” until a few years ago and it was very hard for me, but it is now possibly the most strategic thing I do.  At first it was writing only spiritually about what God was doing in my life - and as I did that I would write what I was going through, what I was involved in, etc., it was creating a picture of how God was working in my life the previous year.  I began to learn that what God does as an eternal being flows from one thing to the next.  If you’ve written down your struggles, victories, and lessons - you wind up with a catalogue of God’s moving in your life that creates some pretty clear pictures.  While I’m doing that I’m praying and asking God to reveal things to me that he wants me to see. 

Step 2.  Get feedback from others.  360s are great - but not always practical - so the people you work with, your family, your neighbors - those who know you best, have them critique you and what you’re doing.  What do they see bearing fruit and what would they say you need to let go of?  For this to work, you have to be willing to listen to others. 

Step 3.  Once you see that, you can narrow what the year’s focus will be and how that fits into your overall call.  What took you away from your call?  What drove you to your call?  Where was the fruit?  Where did you discover you were gifted - or not?

Step 4.  I build a yearly grid of what I say yes and no to.  Once I do that, the year always becomes less, because I cut out things and say no to things that are detracting.  That can be scary at first for someone who doesn’t say no.  But, generally - by the end of the year, the focused “yes” has generated a lot of new growth, and it’s too much - so you have to go back again and cut.  Pruning is one of the most critical actions of a fruitful life.  Those who don’t prune, end up being prunes. They just shrivel up. 

Step 5.  Share it with your wife, close friends, and other people you work closely with and let them speak into it.  They will see things you don’t sometimes.

Step 6.  If God gives you a verse or word for the year - write it down.  Narrow your priorities to 3 top things you will accomplish - there will be many more than that - but what 3 results if you do will transform and move you to the next level - this is a big question. 

Step 7.  Write your verse, your theme, and then goals for your personal life, your family, and your ministry.  Put an action plan together on all of it.

Step 8.  Be flexible for what God brings.  Often he’s doing things I don’t recognize during the year and when I see it - it makes perfect sense.  Sometimes we’re too close or closed to recognize what God is doing. 

BUT, here’s the big thing - do it now - get on it - start reflecting between now and the end of the year - plan it - and watch God move!