GlocalNet

OK, sir, at the conference I spoke at last Tuesday - if you’re out there still, you asked a question as I was heading to the airport and I didn’t have time to answer - so here is my answer.  Here is how I make hard decisions, whether it’s something I’m asked to do, or something I sense in my heart God is stirring.  Whether a staff hire, a ministry to start, an opportunity to seize . . . . this is my process.

1.  I have a template that, for me to even consider something, it has to line up with.  My overarching call from God, the values he has birthed within me, the purposes of God in my life, the vision he has given me.  If it doesn’t line up with those 4 things, I say, “No” real fast.

2.  If it does line up with that - I go to my “counselors” sometimes inside and sometimes outside Northwood and get their feedback.  Sometimes they see something really quick I don’t and they save me a lot of “reflection” time.

3.  Is this something the Spirit of God has quickened in me?  Generally, when the Spirit does this it’s unexpected and not searched for.  Generally for me, with the Spirit, It’s hard to let go, there’s significant risk involved, it’s not something I thought up or would have even considered apart from the Spirit.

4.  Affirmation from the Bible is very important to me.  Because I believe the Bible is a living book - when I begin to pray over things, verses, passages, and stories in the Bible will give me wisdom and insight and will speak to me.  I also journal all of the above stuff along with all of this to see a decision as the culmination of all these things interacting.