Take the "Stick to the Plan" Challenge

On several times, this morning, I have been encouraged to “stick to the plan.”  My morning devotional had sticking to the plan as the theme for the day.  The thought of sticking to the plan resonated atmospherically throughout the morning.  I also talked to a friend this morning and sticking to the plan was our main topic.  She later received an e-mail from someone else encouraging her to stick to the plan.  Sticking to the plan, sounds great if you have one.  Like many of you, I thought that I had developed a plan, but I was reminded to go back to “my plan” and re-evaluate.  I was very challenged during this process.  I had to ask myself, "Did I really have a plan? Did my daily activities correlate and validate that I was in agreement with my plan?  Was I following the steps that applied to my plan or had I decided to procrastinate and let other things and people hinder me from my own progress?

To tell you the truth, I believe that I do have a plan.  Truthfully, I had not taken the thought to the next step.  Instead, I opted to apply a lazy and ineffectual approach to a God ordained process.  I thought that my same brain that is constantly plagued with the woes of life could also keep up with a detailed plan and warn me when I was off track.  I had convinced myself that that I was smart and efficient enough to remember details such as timelines and specifics as it related to my plan.  Since I knew where I was headed, surely I would be able to get myself back on track and press towards my goals.  However, I had left one key item out of the process.  I had not written my plan and I had certainly not presented it to God.  Sure, I had prayed about some of the areas.  God knows my heart.  However, this morning, I had to come to the realization that I had “overstepped my bounds”;; I had placed the cart before the horse.  No wonder life seemed to be jumbled and in a constant state of confusion. I had not begun with God in the way that He instructs us in His word.  “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what is coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait!  And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time. (Habakkuk 2:2 - The Message) 

This question was so profound that I had to spend a little time exploring the “why not.”  Why had I been lazy in an area that God had ordained?  Why didn’t I want to take time for me when I am detail oriented in the workplace and for other people?  Why did a generalization of my plan originally seem to be an obvious solution, when God’s ideas and inspirations required divine dedication, commitment and attention to the details?  Did I really believe in the plan or was it just one of those idea moments that I have experienced during my lifetime that I knew deep inside that I would not do?

Today, I found myself professing that enough was enough.  All forward motion and activity is counting on me pushing past procrastination and laziness and following the process. I can certainly testify that you will find it hard to stick to a plan if you don't really have one.  If it is not written down, it is subject to change sporadically.  You will find it hard to press forward in your circumstance, when your promise is not clear.  I was certainly not an advocate to generalize God. He’s much to big for that.  Certainly bigger than the company that I work for or the other things that I tend to spend time on.  He had trusted me with His ideas and process and I had set them all to  the side. 

Therefore, the process of my planning has officially begun.  God is so powerful!  Before I complete the first step, He has already given insight on the next steps.  However, this time I refuse to jump the gun.  I now realize that it will not mean much for me to go to the next step if I do not complete the planning process first. 

I challenge every reader to walk through this process with me.  This first week, I challenge you to write down your plan and lay it before the Lord.  Some of you may have already completed this process.  If you have, please pray for the others who have not. 

For this step, get a beautiful journal or a notepad that you can keep up with and will endure a lot of wear and tear.  As you write your plan, don't try and over complicate it; make it plain.  Overcomplicating is the main reason why we don't follow this step.  Don't worry about insufficiences or shortcomings.   Sign up or provide a comment that you are completing the challenge.  Encouragement is good for the soul and I would love to hear from you.

Next week, I will release the next step entitled, “Is this a good place for a stick-up?"

Comments

[sonya wynne]

Gina,

I am going to take the challenge. Thanks for the invite. It has been on my mind for a while now to write down my plan or better yet update the previous plan. I have found myself stating this little slogan quite often lately and I am sure it can apply to all. It is the Bob the Builder theme slogan "You can do it." Make it a great day. Sonya

[Gina Dacus]

Sonya, I appreciate your answer to the call. May you be richly blessed during this next phase of your life.

Love ya!

Gina

[Dr. Lakita Long]

Gina,

It is very interesting how time and circumstances would have it, as plans is what I am about at this time. I too take the challenge, and have already done step one, and probably step two. I have outlined something that I need to do, and what are those steps that I actually need to do to complete it.

Thanks again for speaking out and creaing a surge of energy and refreshing to old ideas, making them new again.

[Darice]

Gina - I'll take the challenge and lay my plan before the Lord

Darice

[Gina Dacus]

Hi Darice,

May you be blessed by accepting the challenge. I look forward to your testimony.

Love ya!

Gina

[Gina Dacus]

Hi Dr. Lakita,

Thank you for embracing the plan and incorporating this process in your own. When two people are able to share on the same level and still keep a balance, reciprocity takes place at the highest level.

Love ya!

Gina

[Loria]

Gina,
I feel so blessed to have read your email. I am definitely ready for this challenge. This was confirmation on what I needed to do. May God continue to pour His copious blessings on you and your family. Be encouraged.
Love, Loria