The Discipline Of PlanningSample

How?

Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan, which you have been shown in the mountain. - Ex 26:30, NASB

Mordecai’s goal was simple. Plead to the King to cancel the decree and save the Jews from being destroyed. He identified the obstacles, identified the people to work with and the resources he needed. Though Esther and Mordecai could not meet and talk in person, they both caught the same vision and worked together. Esther came out with a plan of action for the task assigned to her. Her plan had five items − fast and pray; meet the king; invite the King and Haman for dinner; prepare the banquet; and, present her case to the King during dinner. She also requested Mordecai and the rest of the Jews in Shushan to fast and pray with her. We know how the story ends. It all started with a vision and we can see how the courageous plan was carried out.

Gladys Alyward was born in 1902 to a working class family in London. She had a desire to go overseas as a missionary. She heard about an opportunity in China which excited her. She applied for it, but was later turned down by the China Inland Mission because her academic background was inadequate. But she was still determined to go to China. So she planned to get a job, save enough money to buy the cheapest ticket to China and go there by herself. She trusted God, acted upon her plan and achieved it. The plan of action created a route to reach her goal no matter how impossible the goal looked.

A Japanese proverb says, ‘A vision without action is a daydream. Action without a vision is a nightmare’. An activity without a prioritised, specific, time-bound action plan cannot accomplish any goal and an action plan determines how you are going to achieve the goal. Are you determined to reach your goal? Then, now is the time to formulate your action plan and make your moves accordingly.

Father, help me to come up with a specific plan of action to reach my goals. Amen