The Art of Reflection
Intentional Growth Plan for 2022
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” —Benjamin Franklin
The reason we succeed…
1. We’ve intentionally prepared for our careers.
2. We’ve learned how to approach each day with some sort of plan.
Is it possible we are giving less attention to the things that matter the most?
What matters the most…
Personal relationship with God
Spiritual growth & development
Eternity (purpose)
Marriage
Parenting our children
Emotional, mental & physical health
Healthy relationships (w/healthy communication & boundaries)
Stewarding
Good intentions have never produced outstanding results.
Do you have an intentional growth plan in place?
Jeremiah 29:11 [NIV], “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Philippians 1:6 [NLT], And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
It is foolish to believe we are void of any responsibility when it comes to the fulfillment of those plans.
Colossians 3:12-17 [NLT/NKJV], Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it all for the glory of God…
God’s plans still require us to make daily choices.
Galatians 6:7-9 [NIV], Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
A person without a plan, is best described as someone who is willing to accept whatever “life” throws at them. They are simply reacting. They allow external circumstances to set the direction for their lives, because of this they end up living someone else’s plan, and not God’s.
A person with a plan, has decided to take ownership of their daily routine. They intentionally make room for God’s order, purpose, and process. They partner with God and plan for growth, because they have a heart to do “whatever they do, for the glory of God.”
“Success requires a well thought out plan and a following through of that plan if we are going to succeed.”
Five Steps to Developing an Intentional Growth Plan
1. Pause
Pause means; “to wait, or to take a temporary stop and rest, especially in speech or action.”
1 Kings 19:8-9 [NLT], So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Matthew 6:6 [NLT], But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything will reward you [openly].
2. Reflect
Reflect means; “the process of taking thoughtful and serious consideration.” <—Of what? The areas that matter the most. This is where we are willing to take an open and honest evaluation of what’s taking place…in us, around us, through us, and to us [the reflection process begins by asking God and ourselves questions in each of those areas].
Reflection is the honest evaluation of questioning what is happening in us, around us, through us, and to us.
1 Kings 19:10 [NLT], Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
Growth occurs when we are willing to pause long enough to learn from our experiences.
It’s not the experience itself, but the evaluated experience that’s the best teacher.
Psalm 46:10 [NLT], Be still, and know that I am God!
Psalm 139:23-24 [NLT], Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Reflection makes room for an investigation and an illumination of the soul so that we can come to a conclusion of where we are in life.
Reflection allows us to sort through our experiences, put them into perspective, and plan for the future.
3. Write
1 Kings 19:15-16 [NLT], Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu…to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha…to replace you as my prophet.”
Habakkuk 2:2-4 [NKJV], ”Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 …but the just shall live by his faith.
The idea here is this…
Get still
Reflect and listen
Write down the questions that come to mind
Write down our thoughts to those questions
Organize our thoughts
Ask for direction and strategy
Make course corrections where necessary
Identify practical and doable action steps
4. Move
1 Kings 19:19 [NLT], So Elijah went and found Elisha…plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders…
Proverbs 29:18 [KJV], Where there is no vision, the people perish [wander or run wild].
5. Repeat [the process]
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” —Peter F. Drucker
Luke 2:52 [NIV], And Jesus grew [kept increasing] in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.