WHY SHOULD YOU PLAN YOUR LIFE? PART 2
(Adapted from a BaseCamp USA seminar on Life Planning held December 3rd, 2022)
Now that you have the vision or path for your life, let’s turn to mission–what do you do today to achieve your vision.
As an example, Kingdom Prep Lurtheran High School is Wauwatosa, WI’s; mission is–A brotherhood in Christ, for lives of purpose.
The mission drives all of their activities, day to day, in and out of the school.
A first grade school teacher’s mission may be–Empowering my students to read.
Your mission could develope a number of areas. let’s look at two–
- Job
- Community
WORK–
What’s the biggest part of your life?
JOB–
Is that the most critical part of your life–probably not–your relationship with Jesus probably is. But still you want to use your time productively and be working for the Lord. I’m convinced God wants you to find something to love and do it for His glory.
Let’s spend a few minutes examining your job–
SERVICE–
A second area about MISSION.
Working in your community can be a rewarding way to achieve the vision for your life.
On the list of regrets elderly people had about their lives–
“I didnt serve my community enough.”
Find your passion–who would you like to serve?
As Jesus said–
- “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” –Mark 9:35
- “But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great amoung you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ranson for many.”–Mark 10:43-45
Take some time to think about a place you’d like to serve.
BROAD STEPS TO ACHIEVE YOUR MISSION
Let’s say you have a picture of what your life will be like. You also have an idea of your day-to-day work.
MAJOR DECISIONS
What are some major decisions you’ll face?
- Relationship with Jesus; church
- Selecting a spouse
- Picking a career
- Building the education needed to support your career
- Location–where you’ll want to live
- Retirement–what will you do
AGE-BASED PLANNING
Not all major decsions need to be made at once, though several fall into the late teens to twenties.
Consider the kinds of decisions you’ll face–
- late teens-education, career
- 20’s-marriage/children, job, house
- 30’s-strengthening marriage, educationg children, future needs
- 40’s-career change, life changes, planning for kids education
- 50’s-looking toward retirement, grandkids
- 60’s-70’s-80’s-active second life
Some major life decisions are ongoing, for example, maintaining your relationship with Christ, Others change as the years roll by.
How to make wise decisions is the topic of another blog.
DETAILED PLANNING STEPS
So, where do we stand?
Have a vision?
Yes, at least broadly
Have a mission?
Yes, I have a good idea of my day-to-day activities and it’s on track.
Make major decsions?
Yes.
Now, if we’re going to achieve your mission, we need a framework for planning our time–week by week and day by day.
I’ve found my plans and my time fall into 5 areas–
- God
- Family
- Work
- Community
- Me
Setting goals in each area helps pick your priorities. Deciding activites to suppport your goals adds substance to your plan. Finding what the Bible says for each area makes sure you’re on the right track.
Use the following worksheet to begin the plan–or devise your own.
Then start in achieving the plan. Satisfaction in your life will grow significially as you complete each step and begin to realize each dream.
In our next blog. WHY SHOULD I PLAN MY LIFE? PART III, we’ll see how it all fits together to help you reach an active, productive life.
Hope to see you back for Part 3
Submitted by: Jim Kackley
