28 “If you wanted to build a building, you would first sit down and decide how much it would cost. You must see if you have enough money to finish the job. 29 If you don’t do that, you might begin the work, but you would not be able to finish. And if you could not finish it, everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘This man began to build, but he was not able to finish.’
Luke 14:28-30 Easy-to-Read Version
This is our Year of VISION 20/20; it depicts being Illuminated, Lighted or focused. Just as God’s first step towards order in the beginning of creation was LIGHT (Genesis 1:1-3). Light illuminates (light is illumination), Light reveals (Light is Revelation). Revelation is born-out of what you have heard from God. What you hear would form, what you would see and perceive; influencing your feelings, thoughts, actions and choices. As we journey in the Year 2020, we need to sit down and deliberately FOCUS and CONCENTRATION through setting GOALS, make plans and strategize to ensure that we fulfill our sole purpose of pleasing God. Our personal goals or visions must be born-out of hearing from God because God’s vision always commands provision.
After receiving the vision from God, sit down and plan. Planning entails a lot of mental process (many feel this is not faith to plan but I say, planning in itself builds and increases your faith). Faith is simply the making and partnering with the Holy Spirit for the fulfilment of God’s word. We need to calculate our present status and strategize, the fulfilment of the vision. That is why, when God wants to change your status, He changes what you hear, your thoughts and mind (Romans 12:2).
A few importance of Planning or Goal setting;
- It gives your control of your life. (II Corinthians 5:9)
- It helps you make strategic thinking and maximize your opportunities. (Philippians 3:14)
- It helps us maximize our resources (BUDGETING – SPENDING PLAN)
- We develop the habits of the rich (GIVING, SAVING & SPENDING)
Planning helps to create order in our lives and order always create increase. (Luke 16:10).
The Scriptures Luke 2:52 suggest to us the FOUR BASIC AREAS, we need to set our goals.
- SPIRITUAL/HEALTH GOALS,
- CAREER/ACADEMIC/SKILLS GOALS,
- SOCIAL/FAMILY/RELATIONSHIP GOALS
- FINANCIAL GOALS.
Jesus is the Light of the World. As we follow Him tenaciously this year, we shall not walk in darkness.
May the Lord lighten every dark area of our lives with revelation of His word in Jesus name, Amen!
“For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness” (II Samuel 22:29 NKJV)