Vision, Goals and Boundaries

Do you ever feel beat down?  Your world is spinning out of control.  Your boss is complaining that "your head just doesn't seem to be in the game" while shoving more work onto you.  You arrive home to find the kids are yelling and running through the house, your husband is asking "what's for dinner, honey" or better yet complaining "dinner's not ready yet?" while you stumble over the dog and attempt to put down your own brief case.  No peace at home....no peace at work.

The scene is typical of most modern families.  It's not much different if you're a single gal.  You are still juggling deadlines and the demands of friends and family.

All too often, we take on too much and have hectic lives because we lack boundaries and a vision.  One must first have the vision and goals, then, setting boundaries will become easier.

In Proverbs, the Bible says "without a vision the people will perish".  There are countless verses that discuss setting up store houses rather than being a sluggard.  People who set up their store houses had a vision for the future.  They planned ahead.

Remember the story of Mary and Martha?  Martha was busy running around while Mary took time to spend with Jesus.  When Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping her, Jesus told her "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)  Likewise, we spend our lives running around trying to take care of work, family, career, and other obligations.  We fail to spend time with Jesus, we fail to bless others because we are too busy, and we often fail to accomplish our true goals in life because we have been blinded by the busyness of the day-to-day.

As 2010 was coming to a close, I heard more sighs of relief and hopeful expressions for 2011.  Truth be told, unless you take the time to slow down, spend time with Jesus, prayerfully seek God's guidance for your life, and plan the vision, it won't matter if it is 2011, 2012,  or 2015.  You will grow older while running around "putting out fires". 

Being busy is one way in which Satan stops you from spending time with Jesus.  Busyness keeps us from daily devotion and Bible reading.  It stops us from participating in outreaches.  It also keeps us from fulfilling our God-given destiny. 

I would encourage you to examine your life.  What are the areas that keep you from God-time?  What can you change?

Plant the vision by charting it out.  Give yourself something to look at, trust the Lord to help guide and support you, and remember the following Bible passage from Psalms 37:23-24:

The steps of a man are established by the Lord,

when he delights in his way; though he fall, he

shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds

his hand.