Marc Estes

As 2009 comes to a close, it will definitely be marked as a year to remember.  We have been inundated with an onslaught of global pressures with little or no sign of relief.  Despite it all, God remains in charge and His plans to touch humanity will continue as planned. In the midst of all these external pressures that bombard us from every angle, it is imperative that we do not allow any of these external realities to derail us or distract from God’s ultimate purposes.

It is in times like these that we should be constantly assessing our lives and making any adjustments necessary to keep us going and growing in God. I don’t know about you, but I have come to the sobering conclusion that what has got me to where I am today, will get me to where God wants me tomorrow.  Life is not getting an easier, and the world in which I live and  am attempting to reach, is growing increasingly complex. There is a great need to grow continually in every area of my life and make sure that I don’t rise to the ‘level of incompetency’ in any area of my life.

The Apostle Paul lived a life with this conviction. He said, “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.” (Philippians 3:12-16 MSG)

If  the Apostle Paul needed to assess his life and make continueal changes to grow more in God, I am sure we might we might want to consider this important principle as well. As you leave 2009 and venture into the unkown of 2010,  ask yourself a few questions:

1.      Am I a growing leader?
2.      Do I know what areas of my life need further development?
3.      Do I have a strategy in which to assess each of these areas and develop an action plan for 2010?

At the top of my post, I embedded a simple chart I use to prayerfully consider the changes I need to make in my life. It is a habit for me to take some time in December to reflect back on the goals I set for myself and review my accomplishments and failures. I also take the time to analyze these six important areas of my life and list the goals that I would like to establish for the following  year.  You might consider doing the same. Here are some tips you might help you in getting started:

1.      Set some quality time aside during this month to assess your life.  This will take some considerable time, but it is worth the effort.
2.      Print out a copy of the “Personal Growth Goals” chart in this blog and be brutally honest in assessing the weaknesses in each area of your life.
3.      Prayerfully consider the changes that you would like to make to correct each of the areas of weakness in your life.
4.      Develop an action plan as to ‘how’ you will accomplish these changes.
5.      Insert these plans into your daily schedule. “Vision with implementation is fantasy.”
6.      Print out a copy that you can review and assess on a regular basis. I encourage you to review them weekly.
7.      Use these goals as a part of your personal devotion time, praying over each goal and asking for God’s divine assistance.

I hope 2010 will be the year where you have grown more as a leader than any other year. Please feel free to pass this on to  your friends and family.