Ministering to artists ministering through the arts.
This year, I am going to post creative challenges from God’s Word, the idea is simple, read the passage and create something based on it.
Today, as we consider goals, we want to look at Dreams and Visions
What are the dreams and visions the Lord has laid on your heart? How would you express them to the people around you? What steps can you take to bring them to reality?
Hopefully by now, you’ve started to recognize your gift. You might even be beginning to discern your calling. There might even be the kernel of an idea, or a project forming. We’ve dealt a little bit with fear of failure, though for most of us that is an ongoing process. Now let’s direct your attention to the goal. What do you want to accomplish and what would success look like for what you want to do?
For this part of the exercise it is helpful to begin with the end in mind. What will change when you have finished what you’re about to start? What will your life be like when you have accomplished your goal? What does your creation look like? Who will it help? How will the Kingdom be advanced? The list could go on and on. It is always good to visualize these things ahead of time, because the distance between a dream and reality can sometimes be long and difficult. Visualizing the end from the beginning will help to spur you on, even in the most difficult moments.
Once you can envision your mission accomplished, the next step is to “draw” the map. How will you get there from here. Again sometimes it is helpful to work backwards from the goal. The reason for this is simple, looking from where you are currently to where you want to be can be discouraging. The distance can start to look too long. You can start to focus on what you don’t have and after a while that self defeating word “can’t” will start to creep in. Regardless of which perspective you take, starting from your current position or working backwards from the goal. what you are ultimately looking for are manageable steps. There’s an old African saying that asks, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer is “One bite at a time.” and so it is with goals.
Goals become a lot less intimidating when we break them down. Stop thinking about how much you have to do and begin to ask “What is the next right thing I can do on my way to my goal?” Stop looking at what you don’t have, and start to consider what you can do with what you have today that will move you closer to your goal.
The idea is simple. Your goal is reachable, especially if it is a God-given goal. The key is to not get intimidated or give in to discouragement and see this thing through to completion. Our faith allows us to trust in the One who reminds us, “He who began a good work in you, will carry it through to completion in the day of Christ Jesus.” If He put it on your heart, He will carry it through to completion. He desires to do this work through us, but it ultimately depends on Him. We need just to move forward in faithfulness.
Assignment: Start to formulate your goals. At this point, do not allow negative thinking to enter the picture. Instead, visualize your goal accomplished and begin to write down some steps on how to get there.
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