Making Plans – Key Overarching Thoughts

Everyone is setting goals and making plans for 2011.  I’m on holidays at the moment which means I’m semi-ignoring all my responsibilities (well, not my family that is!!), but this morning my mind started  to tick over – a new year – what is this year going to be?

I don’t know what this year is going to bring though I have a lot of projects and plans in my mind but there are three key thoughts that seem to be key in anything else happening.  I guess these are overarching statements – regardless of what happens or what other goals are set these three thoughts need to be our primary concern.  These three aspects will be the flavour of our year regardless of anything else.

1.       Keep our eye on the people factor – on relationships.

2.       Our Health

3.       Measuring success from God’s perspective

One thing that concerns Peter and I is titles/positions and programmes (well, that is two things actually!)   So many churches and ministries, homeschool groups and social clubs are run and administered by people in positions running programmes.  Now we have a few titles ourselves and run a few programmes but our heart is to have those structures serve the things on our heart rather than run our lives.  This will be a key factor for our coming year.  Keep our eye on the people factor – on relationships regardless of what we do.

Another overarching thought that is going on in my head is health.  We can have two extremes in thought about our health – we get so worried about our weight and fitness that all our focus seems to be external.  Or we get so spiritual about it that we only focus on the inner man and let our body go to wrack and ruin!   I’ve been challenged with the idea that my body limits me in what I can do.  If God puts something on my heart will my body be able to go forward and do it?  When I say that I tend to think of the grand things that God may one day ask of me.  But He asks of me today – and yes, my body often crashes and can’t do all that is in my heart.  (I’m not talking of being super-woman but rather to be able to do the things that God has laid on my heart.)  I know my health is a key pin to achieving throughout this year.  As is the health of my family.

The third big picture thought is the guiding measure of a successful day.  Often when we set goals we set plans for grand ideas, for major impact projects and we forget the little steps are just as important.  Day by day, moment by moment if I am doing the right thing then by the end of the year I can look back and be happy with what has been achieved.    What defines a successful day?

• That I have loved the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind and that I have loved my neighbour as myself
• That I have walked in  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
• That my attitude was one of worshipping God in all that I do
• That I have offered forgiveness and asked for forgiveness
• That I have trained my children in righteousness
• That I have walked humbly with my God.

The world sees success in terms of ticking off a to-do list – of doing many things.  But we need to see success from God’s perspective.    (Successful days from God’s perspective)