RESTARTSample

Plan

I have often met followers of Jesus who don't believe in planning. They feel like planning is a worldly thing and believers should be just led by the Holy Spirit. Hence, you sometimes see church services don't start on time and even if they do, they don't end on time. Sermons get dragged, the worship goes on forever under the pretext of being 'led by the spirit'. However these same people have no problem reporting to work on time. You'll never see them late for a staff meeting. I struggle to understand this double standard.

I am a firm believer in planning and structure. I believe that people fail but systems and processes do not. The more there is system and structure, the more indicative it is of the glory of God. I believe God is a God of order and things don't just happen. It takes Holy Spirit-filled, intelligible godly people to make things happen. That reflects the wisdom of God. The Bible does not discourage planning. It in fact encourages detailed planning. Before Joseph became the Prime minister of Egypt, he had a plan. He didn't just dream dreams or interpret Pharaoh's dreams but he depended on the wisdom of God to give him a plan. That plan saved Egypt from a large crisis. Pharaoh didn't appoint Joseph to the post based on his interpretation of the dreams, but based on the plan he had to tackle the famine situation.

I believe God's kingdom needs great strategists and planners who can build and execute planning with excellence. This new season, now that you've prayed, had your vision spelled out, it is important to plan. And lastly, after you've done all you can to plan, leave it for the Lord for His purposes to prevail.

Exercise

1. Spell out what you want to see happen this year. Break it down into half yearly, quarterly and monthly goals.

2. Draw up a plan on how you are going to achieve your progress on a weekly basis.

3. Things you can plan better this year: Your own personal spiritual disciplines, your family financial budget, your vacations, your team, hospitality and gifts.