W3 | Planning For Excellence

FUSE Jakarta

2 days ago

REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) | The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty

OBJECTIVE

To see that excellence is a result of careful preparation under prayerful dependence on the sovereign God.

CONTENT

PREPARING YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS

We’ve all heard the age-old adage, “Failing to plan means planning to fail.” It rings true for the Christian life as well, except that we need to answer to the one in charge, and it’s certainly not ourselves. This means we ought to account for the Lord whenever we make plans. We can calculate projections and implement proven tactics all we want, but the truth remains that nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. We cannot guarantee, much less control, anything unless He wills (Jam 4:14-15).
Though He has determined the trajectory of our lives (Ps 139:16), He has called us to be free (Gal 5:13). Ultimately, we are still responsible for managing what He has given us (Mat 25:14-30). The grand plan has always been to shape us into His likeness and refine our character until we reflect His majesty (2 Cor 3:18). Since we are His people, our decisions should mirror His Highness rather than our own meager heights (John 7:17). By the measure of faith He’s assigned to each of us (Rom 12:3), we ought to invest the time and effort in preparing as much as we can to produce the highest impact in all we do.
As we plan for each season, consider the counsel of sound advisers (Pro 15:22) to ensure we stay on track on the paths of godly wisdom. Provide margin for the unthinkable as well. Things happen all the time that may hinder us from fulfilling our roles and the demands they ensue despite intentionality and effort. Pray over everything ceaselessly as He establishes our steps (1 Thes 5:17, Pro 16:9). Fueled by His loving grace, our active and persistent petition for His direction would serve as edification for others around us, not to mention inspiration for others to excel.

BRACING YOURSELF FOR INERTIA

Our hearts may be in Him in all sincerity, but we often let our fleshly whims take over and derail the Master’s ongoing plans. When we don’t consider contingencies, we resort to inaction even though we know the hard things God has called us to do. James concluded his chapter on making conscientious choices with this: “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (Jam 4:17).
While on one hand there is prideful impression about tomorrow, on the other there is sinful passivity in the present--both sides of the same coin that indicates a lack of faith and eventually, meaning and significance. What usually happens is that we rely on our momentum and eventually, lose traction in our presumptions about what God will do and don’t do based on the past. Without closing in on God’s intentions, we leave the door open for other masters to take charge, especially in our idlest seasons.
Praying isn’t inactivity. It is fervent acknowledgment of the sovereign God and persistent alignment of our hearts toward His authority. When driven by this full-hearted faith, we don’t look at the costly requirements of submission and obedience the Lord calls for, but we run towards those potential avenues He has set to excel with purpose, conviction, and determination in order to receive the full life He’s planned in Christ (Eph 2:10).
Bracing for temptations of procrastination takes a system of habits and routines that economizes our time spent on responsibilities. Even as we’re getting stuff done, reserve no slack that can potentially excuse ourselves from mobilizing His grace. Adopt consistent rhythms and patterns that advance our resources in service to God and others. With all the perseverance gathered, let’s keep running the race marked out before us, fixing our eyes on the pioneer and perfecter of our faith! (Heb 12:1-3)

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

REFERENCES