Define Your Direction

Much is made these days about where you are going, how fast you will get there, and how long you will stay.

We plan for retirement, vacation, and when the kids go to college. We lay out where we want to be and how to get there, then crunch numbers to make sure the stay will last as long as we want.

The problem is everything in between.

Where are you going today? Is today merely an afterthought on the road to tomorrow?

My family recently had the opportunity to be a part of a church plant. We paved a new road and continue to follow Jesus one step at a time. Along the way we defined our core values.

At first this seemed like a waste of time. We’re a church, what do you mean define core values? Aren’t those obvious? We value the Bible. We value prayer. We value meeting together to worship Jesus. That kind of stuff.

But it became clear, in order to be effective on our mission, we have to identify God’s specific marching orders and form a plan to carry them out.

As Luke and I sat in on the meetings to define the church’s core values, we began to ask questions. Why can’t our family do the same? What are we about? What will we be known for?

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

In high school Luke played football and basketball. He’ll tell you, basketball is his first love. While everyone else went out on Friday nights, Luke shined headlights on the basketball goal in the driveway and shot free throws. I still find him in the driveway with a basketball after everyone else goes to bed. He loves the game.

So, why did he play professional football? Because, with the guidance of God and his parents, he determined his direction. He looked at the facts and realized his skill set didn’t lend itself to basketball on a level much higher than high school. But his God given abilities did open doors to continue in football.

He chose to pursue football. He matched his actions to his goal, and more than a decade later, he still wakes up every morning and sets his course to keep his body strong and his mind sharp.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)

To define your personal values, or those of your family, you have to start with God.

Step 1: Look Upward. Talk to God through prayer. Get rid of anything in your life set up apart from God. Listen to God by reading His Word. As you do these things consistently you will begin to see His will for you.

Step 2: Look Inward. What are you doing right now? Values are not things we think sound nice. A value expresses itself in action.

For example, let’s say you decide, I value a healthy lifestyle. And just after you jot that down you run through the burger joint to grab a super-sized double meat cheeseburger and fries. That may be an indication you don’t actually value a healthy lifestyle.

As we formed our family’s core values, we dug deeper into things we were already doing. We asked the loaded question, Why?

Step 3: Look forward. Take all you learned in the first two steps and make it work for you. Put pen to paper and form an action plan. How will these core values play out in your life? What tangible steps will you take today, tomorrow, and every day moving forward to accomplish these values?

One of the values we set up in our home reads:

We value the foundation of trust and love in our relationships with our children.

This core value mandates we approach every issue with our children with the intent to grow in trust and show our love. In one sentence we set up a reminder that will guide us for years to come. It begs us to eliminate anger in how we speak and respond to them. It encourages us to show patience and compassion.

You won’t get this done in a day. It may take weeks or even a month. This project requires much thought and prayer. And, as your life changes, your values may need some tweaking, but the message remains the same.

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

Imagine the purpose in every day when we clearly map out our intention. When we wake up with confidence in God’s plan for that day and move forward with a carefully crafted attack to accomplish it.

Will you define your core values? Leave a Comment!