2020 Vision
As I wrote on Christmas, we need 3 things to be effective:
- a vision for what “it” looks like (i.e. - vision for what we want to accomplish)
- awareness of both our inner and outer realities
- walls / guardrails to protect us from distractions.
I believe this is true regardless of what “it” is. With that in mind, what do you want to be effective in accomplishing in 2020? Make a list and prioritize it, putting the most important thing first. Take a few moments and before reading further.
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Okay, so what did you end up with? What is most important to you? Where did your spiritual health fit in your list of priorities?
Years ago, I learned about seven aspects of wellness and I was taught that every aspect of wellness was equally important. Each aspect of wellness impacted the others, so for example if my physical health was hurting, it would impact my financial health and my emotional health.
But perhaps the model I had been taught was slightly askew. A more correct picture puts our spiritual health at the center, like the hub of a wheel. The other six aspects of health are like spokes of the wheel. If the spokes aren’t connected to the hub, the wheel loses stability, breaking down completely. Likewise, if any of the spokes on the health wheel are too short, the wheel rotates unevenly. So consider these spokes and ask yourself if any are too short in your life: physical health, emotional health, social health, financial health, vocational health, and intellectual health. Is each spoke firmly connected to your spiritual health? In other words, is your life and well-being centered on Jesus? Does it rotate around the God who made you, the God Who has your best interest in mind? Are you trying to hold all the spokes together in your own power? Who is powering the wheel, you or God?
With all this in mind, what does your 2020 vision look like? To be effective, you need to be aware of your inner and outer realities. Inwardly, what are your desires and perceptions? Outwardly, what’s happening? The world is crying out for peace and security, and inwardly I’d wager we all desire that. Outwardly, I see a growing divide between conflicting agendas. Inwardly, I desire truth and love to bring people together, united under the Source of all Truth and Love. Outwardly, I see many threats to every aspect of my well-being, yet inwardly I know by faith that God is still Sovereign and that His prophecies in Scripture are materializing before my eyes.
So what are the guardrails that can keep us focused on being healthy? Obviously, there are "bad things" we want to avoid, but are there “good things” that can distract us from healthy living in 2020? Is there anything that occupies our time more than it should, perhaps allowing something that is "good" to keep us from attaining what's "better"?
Thinking about the guardrails will help us stay focused. What should those be for you? The answer will look different each of us, but each answer will share some common characteristics: it will emphasize obedience to God; it will not necessarily be easy; and it will be worth the effort!
Are you ready for 2020? I realize that I’ve asked more questions rather than providing answers, but as Einstein pointed out, knowing the right question to ask leads us to the proper conclusion. Each of us is uniquely and wonderfully made for such a time as this. If it's helpful, take a look at your list what you want to accomplish and rearrange as necessary for a healthy year, thinking about practical guardrails that will help keep you focused in 2020.
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)
copyright ©2020 Mitchell Malloy (http://mitchellmalloyblogspot.com/)
