Roadmaps & FootprintsSample

DAY 5: ACTION - PART 1

As mentioned earlier in this devotional, visions and strategies without actions are merely dreams awaiting mobility. We all desire to make an impact and for our footprints to matter. Roadmaps are essential to arrive at our destination, yet they lack relevance if we never take a step in that direction. God gives us the ability to think rationally and intelligently to empower our movement and behavior. For years I dreamed of writing a book. My vision was clear for many years, and, in fact, I even had a strategy for the message I wanted to convey. Full disclosure, I made many excuses and developed justifiable reasons why the dream had failed to become a reality. Doubt and fear can often masquerade as busyness and comfortability and can be our most formidable foes for implementing action.

During the pandemic, the quarantine forced many of us to DO what we’ve always TALKED about finally. My encouragement to others is that if God placed the dream in your heart for a reason, nothing should prevent execution, especially once the vision and strategy phases are complete. When I think of action in the face of doubt or fear, I think of Joshua and Caleb and their hope for the promised land. When all others refused to proceed into the land out of fear and intimidation, Joshua and Caleb were faithful to God’s promise and commands and ultimately inherited God’s best for them.

We often feel productive and accomplished if we visualize something and develop the strategy but stop there. Every vision and strategy should produce a result that manifests into a finished product. Too often, we focus on the big picture and the destination but miss the small steps within the longer journey. Consequently, our eyes become too big for our stomach in the sense of needing the trophy before we do the work. We become impatient and discouraged if our immediate action doesn’t produce the goal on a grand scale.

Our next point of discussion will equip you with practical tools and mindsets for action and perseverance within the process. Spoiler alert, we fall victim to missing the trees because of the forest. We often overlook various aspects of our quest, losing sight of situations where we can create momentum in the granular moments and milestones.

CHALLENGE STEP:

What has prevented you from taking action and implementing your strategy?

What is required to press on and press forward despite the obstacles?