As a Kingdom writer, how do you plan?
I know I, Shelley, used to write out my plans and then bring them to God for His stamp of approval.
I had my own ideas and my own plans.
And I often would write my plans in a pen. I had expectations that things needed to happen a certain way and at a certain time.
However, over the last few years, God has begun to change the way I plan.
Now I plan in pencil.
Honestly, I used to never write in pencil. I probably had a pencil stashed somewhere in the back of our junk drawer but I never used it.
For 12 years I practiced as a Physical Therapist and all of our notes had to be written in a black pen. I got used to using my black pen for everything.
Pen vs. Pencil
To me, the black pen represents control. It’s permanent and unchanging.
When I used to plan in pen, I was in control. It was all about my ideas and my plan. I was simply asking God to sign off on it.
However, writing in pencil represents flexibility. I am open to God changing my plans at any time.
And, lately, as I have had regular business meetings with God, I have been using my eraser a lot too!
Many times God will give me an idea and then gradually reveal more to me over time.
Sometimes I will write down a marketing plan I sense from God during a time of prayer simply to have Him change it the next time we meet.
Does this mean I’m not hearing Him right? Does this mean there’s something wrong with me?
No.
Meetings and Pencils
When I worked as a Physical Therapist, I worked in the corporate world and ran a clinic for Whirlpool Corporation in Findlay, Ohio.
As a result, I sat in a lot of meetings. Healthcare meetings. Engineering meetings. Ergonomic committee meetings.
We would often brainstorm ideas and only a few would ever be implemented.
It was part of the process and we all knew that our plans were subject to change at any time by management.
It’s a similar process in our business meetings with God.
- Plan in pencil.
- Stay open and flexible to His leading.
- Let go of your expectations.
- And plan to use your eraser a lot. LOL!
The more often you have your business meetings with God, the more clearly you will hear from Him. It takes time. If you don’t get a detailed marketing blueprint today, don’t worry.
Keep meeting with Him. Keep coming back and writing out your plans in pencil.
Oh, and keep your eraser handy too!
Action Steps:
- If you haven’t yet, watch my training on Business Meetings with God here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/businessmeeting
- Decide on a schedule for your business meetings with God. I recommend at least one day a week.
- Put it on your calendar.
- Meet with God at your scheduled time with some paper and a pencil. Brainstorm ideas with God.
- Optional: Print off a 3-month calendar at CalendarLabs.com and in pencil add the ideas to your calendar. Keep an open mind to your plans changing as you continue meeting with God on a weekly basis.
Let me know if you put your business meeting with God on your schedule in the comments below.
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