What brings you joy?
What brings you great satisfaction?
What are you passionate about?
These are not idle questions. Life planning suggests a goal or a way to lead your life. I expect joy, satisfaction, and passion will all be parts of the life you are looking for.
WHY SHOULD YOU PLAN YOUR LIFE?
After all, the steps of life are apparent—birth, childhood, school, marriage, job, children, grandchildren, retirement, and death.
Why not just slide, plod or bounce through life, simply enjoying what comes along? Isn’t it a lot easier? After all, fewer than 2% of Americans have written plans for their lives. So, planning your life shouldn’t be too important.
Two reasons drive me—
- I answer the question, “Why plan anything?” Answer: To get better results.
- And, because God has a plan for me, and I want in on that plan.
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY?
A survey of elderly people asked, “What are the greatest regrets of your life?”
- I didn’t think enough about my life while I was leading it.
- I didn’t take enough risks.
- I didn’t serve my community enough.
Too often when people get to the end of life, they regret the opportunities they missed and what their lives could have been.
Or they reach their 50s or 60s and think their productive lives are over. They still have 20-30 years to live. And they have the wisdom, experience, and finances, as well as time, to do great things.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT LIFE PLANNING?
These are only some of the passages found in the Bible about the topic of planning:
The mind of man plans his steps, but the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:6
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:1
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
Proverbs 23:4
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8b
The key: Being in sync with God
DOES GOD HAVE A PLAN FOR MEN AND WOMEN?
Look at the lives of the men and women of the Bible who followed God’s plan. Look at the lives of people you admire as a result of following God’s plan for them.
Yes, God does have a plan for men and women. And he has one for you.
So, this message is about you and the Lord planning your life.
I can guarantee better results!
SO, HOW DO I PLAN MY LIFE?
“I can see how life planning might help. How does it work?”
First, think of the end game, What does the picture of your ideal life look like?
It helps if you start with an honest assessment——the ups and downs, the things you’re proud of, the things missing——the overall direction of your life.
THEN, HOW DO I DETERMINE MY END GAME?
What do people say are the goals in life? Most often, the list includes wealth, recognition, status, and a comfortable life.
What does the Bible say?
- Paul: Lead a complete life.
- Joshua: Lead a prosperous, successful life.
- Jesus: Follow me!
Let’s look at you.
What are your dreams? Its okay to be a little crazy, that’s why they’re called dreams.
How do you define success for yourself?
Try this test: You’re 80 years old. You’re sitting on the porch of your mountain cabin enjoying the late afternoon sun. You’re reflecting on your life and decide it’s been highly successful?
WHAT WOULD GOD LIKE TO SEE IN THE PEOPLE?
So, if we’re here for 70-80 years, what does the Bible say your life should be like?
God has a plan for you.
- He wants you to lead your life by you following him.
- He wants you to number your days, using your time wisely.
- He’s less concerned about achievments and more about the person he’d like you to be.
GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU.
God’s given us time, talent, resources, and spiritual gifts. He expects us to use them to achieve his plan for us.
How do you find God’s plan for you?
- A passage in the Bible that connects with you.
- A discussion with Christian people whose advice you take.
- A study of the history of outstanding Christian men and women you’ve heard about.
- A message from the “still, small voice” (Holy Spirit) leading you in a specfic direction.
- Also, there are books and workshops available to help you through the process. One example is Built on Purpose by George Nicholson.
MY STORY
My life purpose developed over several years through a series of events.
This was the first one:
When I was 17, my high school principal took me aside and said “Kackley, you’re not very bright but you sure do work hard.” I was offended as I was in the running for class valedictorian. But, when I got to college I found out he was right. Now I was in the big leagues.
I realized I was never going to be a technical genius, but if I focused on people, I could succeed.
The second event happened when I was 24. I was a cocky young staff person at a major professional firm. I was headed across Chicago’s Loop to catch a commuter train:
As I walked by an empty newsstand I saw a wretched-looking man lying on the newspaper shelf. He asked if I could help him. My response (as a then non-Christian) was, “I don’t give money to people who don’t earn it.” I then hurried on.
Minutes later as I joined the mass of commuters heading down a ramp to the trains, a voice said, “Jim, that was just wrong-fix it!
By the time I worked my way back to the newsstand, the man was gone. i broke down in tears and promised I would never treat a person like that again.
At 26 I accepted Christ as my Savior. I learned that the Holy Spirit was now in me, and I had the spiritual gift of giving.
By 30 it was apparent my life purpose was helping people realize their potential.
These events defined who I am and what would drive my life.
By answering tough questions and working with God, you will gradually develop a life purpose and a plan for your life.
LIFE PLANNING II
In our next life planning post, we’ll move to missions, jobs, and careers—the necessary steps to refilling our life vision or purpose.
Here is a great blog from world renowned motivational speaker Tony Robbins:
https://www.tonyrobbins.com/importance-time-management/life-planning/
