“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT“
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NLT
We all have dreams. You may not have thought about yours for a long time. Perhaps life has swallowed up your initiative to follow through on them, but they are still there. What are they?
Perhaps you have crafted your dream into a goal. You may even have written it down and made a plan. But just maybe, life has swallowed your plan along with your drive to follow through, and you find it hard to move forward. You may feel stuck. Is that you?
The truth is, we don’t have the power to follow through on our dreams and goals until we hear God speak. When He speaks, we receive the power to follow through. What has God spoken to you, and what will you do about it?
If you believe God has spoken to you, what is your next step? Let me offer a suggestion.
Confirm – Pray and be sure that you have heard correctly. Ask trusted people in your life for input. Important decisions require confirmation from more than one source. You are not in this alone. So, don’t isolate yourself. Reach out for support.
Craft a plan to fulfill what God has spoken. Writing it down helps you think through the details but also gives you a concrete reminder to review. Post that plan where you will see it regularly. It’s worth the effort.
Take the next step. That is all. You can only take one step at a time. So, do it! You can’t skip to the end as much as you may want to.
In recent years, I have realized skipping to the end is what I often want most. I want to leap over all the middle steps and just land at the deeply desired goal. Every important, God-inspired goal holds so many more middle steps than I expect. Reaching that goal takes so much more grit, determination, and perseverance than I want. But those middle steps are how God grows my character. I will miss that important aspect if I skip to the end, and so will you.
Here is the bottom line: The power to achieve comes from God. But you and I must choose to move.
What is God saying to you, my friend? How will you respond? What is your next step?
Key Question: What has God spoken to you, and what will you do about it?
A Scripture to Consider: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NLT“
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NLT
A YES Challenge: Whether you have written them out or not, review the goals you have set for yourself. Ask God to highlight the goals He wants you to follow through on. Then, ask Him to empower you to take the next step toward it.
Prayer: Lord, Your word says that there are many plans in human hearts, but that You are the one who directs our steps. I want my plans to line up with Yours. On my own, I can never accomplish anything of value. I need You and Your power. Fill me. Guide me. Lead me in the right path for Your honor and glory. Amen.
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If you are stuck and would like a partner to help you process your next step, I’d love to help. Schedule a 30-minute complimentary coaching session here.