It's Elementary, My Dear Wellness Scribe

We've been gathering clues to discover the chazown - the vision - for life.  It's unique to each person; yet Craig Groeschel's program, as described in the book and on the resource-packed website, provides guidance for the quest.  This post will conclude the exploration we began a few days ago, but the book holds much which makes it worth procuring and perusing for yourself.  This is really just an introduction, an opportunity for introspection I hope will foster further delving on your part.

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Having explored the three circles, you'll know by now what the author/pastor means when he writes:

• Your core values are the handful of values that you are most passionate about and stood for above all else.
• Your spiritual gifts are your special abilities, the things you do noticeably well - and love to do.
• Your past experiences are the events and seasons in your past (both pleasant and unpleasant) that have shaped who you are today and prepared you for God's plan for your future.

The place these three overlapping circles of self-evaluation and godly revelation converge is a "sweet spot" in which all those life dimensions operate at their greatest strength.  A few questions below will help to dig for the jewels.  For now, we'll press forward.

Groeschel warns that this truth-finding mission is not for wimps, urging to expect discomfort because "God's vision for you is bigger than you can imagine and impossible for you to do on your own."  This reminds me of Henry Blackaby's reference to God-sized tasks in Experiencing God.  God intends to receive glory from your joining Him in His work; and that cannot happen when you're fully capable in your own power and with your own resources to do it all.

Because this mission God has for you is vast in comparison to your own power, wisdom, and resources, it is wise to seek counsel as you embark on defining and fulfilling that purpose.  God will not contradict His Word, the intercession of fellow believers is priceless, and God has already facilitated your access to wise believers whose guidance can be crucial - especially when it comes to being accountable.

Groeschel defines a mission statement as a "one sentence version of God's chazown for your life expressed in words that greatly motivate you to pursue it for Him."  You can start with a lengthy, rambling draft, of course, and then revise and reduce it to a concentration that is powerful and strong, relevant to you.  Those questions I mentioned earlier - the ones you'll find below - will really help with that first draft.

Intention and vision and mission statements are great things unless they are as far as you get.  Putting the God-sized task into a plan of action galvanizes and catalyzes dreams into destiny.  We are to walk by faith (Galatians 5), and some of that faith is creating a plan for moving into the mission (Proverbs 14:22-23; 33:11; Matthew 16:21).  The author mentions the efficacy of short term goals which contribute progress toward the long-term outcomes, citing the concept of SMART goals.  While goals are helpful structure, excessive worry over this step can lead to actions becoming drowned in intent; so take the very next step, insisting the power of your faith over the grip of fear.

Finally, and essentially, the spokes of your proverbial wheels must be balanced and strong for the long haul - a practice which requires vigilant and willful attention.  Those spokes deal with:

• Your time with God
• Your relationship with other people in your life 
• Your financial stewardship and wellbeing
• Your physical fitness
• Your work life - whatever that is that occupies your time, whether it's paid or volunteer

Jotting with Johnna:
It's finally time for those questions posed by pastor Groeschel - consider, pray about, and seek wise counsel as to these questions.

• What have I always considered important?
• What values permeate me to my core?
• What have I always seemed especially gifted to do?
• What have my experiences revealed about me and my purpose?
• If money were inconsequential, and I could do anything I desired for the rest of my life, what would I do?
• Aside from providing love, care, and ministry to those I cherish, what's the foremost thing I believe God wants to accomplish in this life through my action?

Remember:
You were born on purpose with purpose.  It will be outside your own strength - it'll even stretch you - but you are uniquely gifted with talent, experience, and a set of values to accomplish that big vision with God's backing for His glory.

Stay tuned.  Stay focused.  Stay well.