Biblical Success - Running the Race of Life - a Star to Followናሙና

In actualizing our SOP it is extremely helpful to be able to articulate how it applies to the roles that we are responsible to play in the different seasons of our lives. My SOP is over thirty years old, still extremely helpful, and I have only had to make slight changes as I have added grandchildren, etc. When I originally wrote my SOP my children were preteens (three girls) now they are all married and I have 6 wonderful grandchildren.

As I wrote my Statement and then identified my roles I also tried to identify God’s context of priority for and in them. For example, I identified that my relationship with God is my highest priority since everything else in my life flows from it. That’s why I start every day with Him and His Spirit in His Word. Next came my role as a husband, then a parent, business owner, a minister, and citizen. Later I had to add “grandparent” and define what ministry was for me to my adult children and their children. This articulation of roles was perhaps the most helpful part of the whole process, giving clarity and accountability to God’s purpose for me in the various roles of life. First thinking through definition and then give context to them in order of God’s priority. It has even been possible to add some metrics that are so helpful. Let’s get started on a great SOP for you. What does your life look like in priority for you? Here’s one of mine broken out for example: “As Husband - Loving Bonnie unconditionally, sacrificially, as Christ loves His Church. Praying for her. Meeting her needs for affirmation, security, and freedom to be herself. To cherish her.”

To honor God in your role how do you describe your purpose? :

1- As son -

2-  As mate (husband/wife) of -

3-  As a parent of my children - 

4- In my ministry - at home, work, socially in my community, church

5-  As a grandparent

6-  As a Christian citizen/neighbor

Ultimately our lives as Christ-followers will not be defined by our social status or reputation on Earth. Our net worth or professional title or advanced degrees won’t matter and we can’t take hard assets with us. We never see a U-Haul following a hearse. But the things we do while living a life based on God’s plan and priority will produce success as Christ followers well as eternal rewards.

This process of crafting a “True North” Statement of purpose makes a great “quiet time” project; first with prayer then with practice. Ask the Spirit for His help. You can count on it! I would love to see the product that He leads you to create. Send me a copy. All God's best!