Exhortation Station

Proverbs 14:23
In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.

Recently I’ve been thinking about initiative, defined by Cambridge Dictionary as “the ability to use your judgment to make decisions and do things without needing to be told what to do.”

Here is a pattern I sometimes catch myself in: I work, exercise, eat, etc. — the daily routine. I react to whatever comes my way during the week. After a while, I look back and sigh at the longer-term goals I’ve put zero effort into. I remind myself of the things I want to be intentional about. Going into the next week, I feel energized, inspired, and excited by a multitude of possibilities. Then the busyness hits, and the cycle starts over. Of the 20 things I felt jazzed about going into the week, I could have completed maybe 1/4 of a thing. But because I hadn’t decided ahead of time which of the things to focus on, I ended up making progress toward none of them. Whatever white space I had in my schedule was quickly whittled away by working an extra hour or engaging in mind-numbing activities that provided instant gratification with little substance.

Reacting to situations as they unfold is, of course, an inescapable part of existence. We can make our plans, but life has a way of upending them. The temptation, though, is to throw up our hands and say “well, I guess I won’t make plans, pursue goals, or chase dreams; I never have time for them anyway.” We may not do this consciously, but subconsciously, we can just sort of let them slip away. We start living on autopilot. We lose track of our gifts and stop being proactive. Can you relate?

“So many ideas, not enough time.” While there are no easy solutions to this recurring frustration, Proverbs 14:23 offers a potent nugget of wisdom by reminding us that “in all labor there is profit.” Sometimes you just have to start doing stuff. Less talk, more do, so to speak. “That sounds good in theory,” one might say, “but my problem is I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing.” I often feel that way, and I don’t want to err by offering an overly simplistic answer. “Just pick something and do it” is not always the right course. Many decisions have a sizable impact on how our time and energy are spent going forward. Our time on earth is precious and finite. No wonder analysis paralysis kicks in so readily when trying to determine how to best use it. Nevertheless, there are actions within reach that can help us move closer to our goals.

So, where to start? How can we begin breaking ground? Here are some strategies I am working to develop in my life:

1. Write Down a List of Purposeful Pursuits

Putting pen to paper helps relieve my brain from being overrun by a nebulous soup of ideas. My Purposeful Pursuits list is broken into several categories, including:

• Visionary Ministry (longer-term ideas)
• Day-to-Day Ministry (smaller ways I can take action in my walk with Yah)
• Hobbies/Projects
• Enjoyment
• Personal Growth

Under each heading, I just started brainstorming. Visionary Ministry might include things like volunteer work, mission trips, starting a discipleship group, etc. Personal Growth might include practicing piano, learning a new skill, reading a book on a topic of interest, etc. I don’t expect to complete everything I jotted down. The list is simply there to keep my goals, ideas, and dreams within my field of view and to serve as a springboard for action.

If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, perhaps start by asking, “what am I naturally gifted in?” If you’re not sure, ask a friend or family member — someone who knows you well.

2. Identify What Stage of the Decision-Making Process You are In

With your ideas documented, it’s time to decide which one or ones to dive into. Or, maybe you’ve already decided on a goal but aren’t sure how to begin chipping away at it. Either way, there are decisions ahead of you.

As I see it, every decision can be separated into 3 phases:

1. Gathering information
2. Analyzing information
3. Acting on information

Let’s break these down:

1) Gathering Information

Gathering information (i.e., research) is, I think, an under-appreciated part of the process. If you want to improve your guitar skills, the first step is not to take guitar lessons. First you must learn about the guitar teachers in your area, and before that, you may need to consider what style of playing you want to focus on. Looking back on times I’ve struggled with decision fatigue, a recurring pattern is that my brain is 5 steps ahead of the game. If I would slow down and finish Step 1 with excellence, I would be much better equipped to tackle Step 2. The analysis phase bears little fruit if the gathering phase is conducted poorly. If you’re struggling to identify the right course, I might suggest asking yourself, “have I gathered enough information to make a well-informed decision?”

At the bottom of my Purposeful Pursuits list, I have a big heading that says “Research.” Though I may feel like I haven’t achieved much after an hour of research, I have to remind myself that effort put into gathering pertinent information is time well spent.

2) Analyzing Information

Once relevant information is gathered, it’s time to sort through it. As you think through your options, you may realize you need to go back and gather more data points. That’s okay; it can be an iterative process. If you’re in an analysis paralysis loop, perhaps ask yourself, “Are there any tools and resources at my disposal to help me make this decision? Do I know someone who has been down a similar road who can offer helpful advice? Have I sought Yahweh for His direction and guidance?”

3) Acting on Information

Action is what bridges the gap between intent and decision. If I decide to mow the lawn on Monday, but the grass is uncut on Tuesday, I didn’t really decide; I merely intended.

If you have carefully considered your options and are still having trouble moving forward, it may be wise to ask yourself, “Is the problem that I’m scared to act on this information? Is indecision a cover-up for timidity? Do I know the right course, and it’s just a hard pill to swallow?” Be honest with yourself to the best of your ability.

Or, maybe that’s not the issue at all. In some cases, the right course may be to withhold a verdict unless or until you come across more information that can move the needle. Say you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact in your hometown. You research the opportunities, ministries, and needs in your area. You seek council and assess your options. After all your due-diligence, nothing jumps out at you as being the right fit. In this situation, you may need to simply wait. Maybe now is not the right time to pursue the type of thing you had in mind. Just don’t forget to keep pressing on in the small things while you wait for clarity on the big things. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” – Luke 16:10. You might simply say, “Yahweh, You know my desire to serve in such and such a way. Unless or until I receive the direction I need to move forward with this vision, help me to follow You faithfully in all other areas. Show me how to continue to love people, spread Your light, and pursue Your calling in my daily life.”

I cannot speak to whatever word is the particular need in your situation. That is between you and your Creator. I encourage you to take it up with Him.

3. Release All Your Plans to Yahweh

As I mentioned before, life has a way of upending our plans. It may be that Yahweh has something entirely different in store for you than any of the things on your radar. That’s why it’s so critical to seek His agenda first in all things. Living proactively does not mean sacrificing the true need of the moment on the altar of a meticulously thought-out schedule. Maybe you come home from work and your kids ask you to throw the frisbee with them. Quality time with the family might be the need that trumps whatever is on your list. All this talk about goals, plans, visions, etc. is not meant to be a replacement for simple, open-handed abandon to whatever Yahweh calls us to do. Our most clever ideas are no comparison to His wisdom. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

Join me in prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Help me to take initiative on worthwhile pursuits. I don’t want to live on a self-made performance treadmill. Neither do I desire to stand in one place. Let me run precisely in the way You would have me run. Let me uphold in faithful harmony all things You deem praiseworthy: zeal and rest, boldness and humility, soberness and enjoyment, work and play, sharing and receiving. Let me take the action that is good and fitting for the moment, and let all I do be done with the right motivation: to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

(Bible passages NASB 1995)