Holy Ambition Sample

A Strategic Plan

First comes a Dislocated Heart, then a Broken Spirit, then you move toward Radical Faith and no safety net other than God’s faithfulness, which brings us to the fourth condition: creating a Strategic Plan.

A Strategic Plan begins with a vision. But where does the vision come from?

After Nehemiah’s heart and spirit were changed and he began to boost his Radical Faith, he asked God, “What do You want me to do?”

You don’t jump in with faith. You first get a big-picture perspective from God: a vision of what could happen if God unleashed his power.

Then you start to research and plan.

Read Nehemiah 2:4-8 and note all the specific requests Nehemiah had already prepared for the God-appointed moment he had the king’s ear. He didn’t know if he’d receive his requests, but he developed them anyway.

Many people think they must have all the funds and resources lined up before taking action. That’s not how it works. If it’s truly God’s agenda, He will provide His resources in His time.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. (Matthew 6:33 NASB)

At the same time, God doesn’t channel resources toward vague ideas. Developing a Strategic Plan takes lots of research, sometimes in solitude.

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he was a big deal, but he went straight into seclusion for three days. He no doubt was privately listening to officials, gathering information, and praying. Then he went out in secret to see things with his own eyes.

And I got up in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 2:12 NASB)

His Strategic Plan culminated with that secret tour, but it resulted from more than a year of preparation. If a plan has the right foundation, things can move fast toward the end. Nehemiah announced the vision and plan in public, helped others see how God had guided, and invited them to be involved.

They all jumped on board! It all made sense to them, and (hint of the sixth condition) they saw Nehemiah’s commitment.