Planning 101: Share the Vision

I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.

Woodrow Wilson

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Proverbs 29:18

I’m only one person. Have you ever thought that? Have you ever had a vision of something great but realized there was no way you could do it alone? Maybe it is time to share the vision.

Share the Vision

At the yarn shop where I work, we have a back room… make that rooms…where we store stuff. After three moves, two burst pipes, and a floor renovation, we have the stuff narrowed down to what we probably need, but it is in complete disarray. I remember looking at it and thinking I am only one person. By the time I get one section organized something else happens, like a big sale, and I end up not being able to make headway.

The owner and I are both using the 12-Week Year because she bought me the 12-Week Year for Authors for Christmas. It has really helped me be more focused and intentional about using my time and setting goals. One of the biggest concepts is having a realistic understanding of what you can actually accomplish in a given time period. Another is bringing in the right people and delegating tasks when possible. In other words, we need a cleaning day with all the help we can muster to get it where I can organize and maintain it.

Assess the Situation

¹² And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

Nehemiah 2:12

Nehemiah had a much bigger project in front of him. They needed to rebuild the city walls and gates. To make matters more challenging, there were also enemies to the project before he even started, so Nehemiah had to go about making plans carefully. He surveyed the damage at night and alone before he even contacted the city elders. He needed to assess the situation for himself without negative influences from either the people or their enemies. He wanted God’s view.

Verbalizes the situation

¹⁷ Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

Nehemiah 2:17

Nehemiah starts out by giving them an overview of the situation. While the people living there knew there were issues, it sometimes takes an outsider to bring the whole situation to light. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and just go day by day. For example, I may ignore a cobweb under the couch until I know a visitor is coming. Then I see what they might see in a different light.

Mobilizes construction

¹⁸ Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

Nehemiah 2:18

Next, he reminds them that it is a mission from God with support from the king. He not only has a vision, but he also has a plan that included a way to get the materials they needed to complete the project. All he needed from the people were their skills and willingness to do the job. When the people saw that Nehemiah had a plan, they were ready to sign up.

Galvanizes opposition

¹⁹ But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? ²⁰ Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 2:19-20

The minute Nehemiah shared his plan the enemy showed up. The first thing the enemy tried was making fun of them. Many times a good idea gets no further than an idea because the enemy makes us question everything, including the validity of the plan and our abilities to execute it. Nehemiah knew how to handle the scoffers. First, he identified who the opposition was. Then, he rebuked them in the name of God and told them the consequences of their behavior. He let them know that they would not stop God’s will. We have to keep our eyes on God and not the opposition.

You are not alone

When you say yes to a vision from God, you are not alone. First, you have God, Creator of the Universe, on you your side with all His resources. Once you assess the situation and realize you need help, prayerfully share the vision. Ask God to lead you to the right people and open the right doors. Also, be prepared for opposition. Whenever God is working, the enemy tries to block it, but God has already won the victory. We just need to follow His will, and we need to be willing to share the vision. What has God given you a vision for? Who do you need to share that vision with?

Related Posts:

Planning 101 Courage to Ask and Planning 101 Prepare with Prayer

What I’m Reading:

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