My Pondering
There are 5 phases to victory within a Christian worldview. Each of these stages are dependent upon one another.
1. Understand
Why should we do this or not?
I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.
Ecclesiastes 7:25
Prior to any endeavor, it’s prudent to first understand the circumstances, reality and playing field. We need to discern between truth and fiction; read between the lines. We are smart to seek a full perspective including other trusted people and what God has revealed.
God is good. He wants us to win and live the abundant life; to be 100x’r. That doesn’t mean we won’t have challenges, issues, murphy’s law and our enemies don’t exist. It means that ‘if God is for who shall ultimately be against us’, certainly no one up to His power, stature and means.
This is the time to seek God’s will and spot opportunities that are in alignment with our predetermined goals, which are based on our purposeful calling which we are endeavoring to manifest our destiny as God has, is and shall enable.
This is also the time to ascertain the FEAR factor. To identify what FEARs are present and proceed accordingly. For more that, check this article out.
We will never nor is it possible to fully understand everything under nor beyond the sun. That’s why we need to be dependent upon Providence. We must know God expects us to invest our resources for righteous gain.
33Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
Psalms 119:33-40
and I will keep them to the end.
34Give me understanding that I may obey Your law,
and follow it with all my heart.
35Direct me in the path of Your commandments,
for there I find delight.
36Turn my heart to Your testimonies
and not to covetous gain.
37Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
revive me with Your word.
38Establish Your word to Your servant,
to produce reverence for You.
39Turn away the disgrace I dread,
for Your judgments are good.
40How I long for Your precepts!
Revive me in Your righteousness.
Key elements of proper Understanding:
- Knowledge
- Insight
- Clarity / Focus
- Purpose
- Integrity
2. Decide
When and if it is going to happen
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
Proverbs 15:22
but with many advisers they succeed.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14
Once we discern properly, then its time to decide. If we decide this endeavor should be taken, then we need to fully commit by by our head, heart and hands. We should weigh the urgency vs. the importance comparatively. Using a weighted decision comparison spreadsheet helps like this one helps with complex decisions.
This is the time to confirm God’s will and purpose. It’s the time to verify alignment and shift our mindset as needed.
Prayer is critical here to hear God’s directions.
Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?
Jesus, Luke 14:28
Key elements of wise Decisions:
- Goals
- Purpose
- Advice
- Discernment
- Facts
- Feeling
- Timing
- Advantage
3. Commit
The who and what is needed.
Commit your works to the LORD
Proverbs 16:3
and your plans will be achieved
Get ready; prepare yourself, you and all your company gathered around you; you will be their guard.
Ezekiel 38:7
Failing to prepare is planning to fail.
Anonymous
Only a fool beings a mission without prior planning. It’s also unwise to over plan waiting for the perfect time. This involves creating an overall strategy. We should begin with the end in mind, visualizing our success and then working it backwards. Planning for the best but being prepared for the worst.
Probably the most important part of planning, is praying for God to clear the way and give us insight and the resources to succeed.
We also need to train for and envision our victory. We need to expect the unexpected; hoping for the best while being prepared for the worst.
This also the time to gather resources (what), raise leaders and the team (who).
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion.
2nd Corinthians 9:7
For God loves a cheerful giver.
Key elements of total Commitment:
- Trust
- Preparation
- Training
- Resources
- Strategy
4. Execute
The how and now of getting it done.
To everything there is a season,
Ecclesiastes 3:1
and a time for every purpose under heaven:
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,
1 Corinthians 9:24
but only one receives the prize?
Run in such a way as to take the prize.
This is where the rubber meets the road. It’s game on. We need to bring it and trust God. We need to launch it all, let it all go and let God make it happen. Either way, we win or learn.
Once our strategy is set, now it’s time for tactics. This when the men are separated from the boys. This is when the preparation pays offs.
Having garnered a team, this when hold extreme ownership of our duties.
In addition to preparing, a big part of commitment is doing the work and trusting the process even when we don’t fully understand.
Commit your way to the LORD;
Psalm 37:5
trust in Him, and He will do it.
Key elements of effective Execution:
- Interdependence
- Teamwork
- Confidence
- Capability
- Character
- Communication
- Tactics
5. Transform
Do not be conformed to this world,
Romans 12:1-2
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
The only sure way to win is to learn and adapt. As we engage, we need adapt our tactics, update our strategies but always keep our principles.
As we measure what matters, receive feedback and renew our mindset then we hone in on God’s will as it’s revealed.
For where there is a will, there is a way. God’s way is always the right way.
As we move forward and take our ground, oft times the obstacles we face reveal to way to to victory. We continually adapt and adjust around, over and sometimes through them to indeed manifest our destiny.
Our job is to continually make the Next Best Right Move
All you can do is all you can do but all you can do is enough (Lord willing).
AL Williams (Kirk Booher)
If we maintain a proper perspective, stay humble, give it our all, live for and love God to our core, success is guaranteed!
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Key elements of continious Transformation :
- Feedback / KPI’s
- Kaizen
- Learning
- Growth mindset
- Good habits
- Eagerly adapting
Summary
U.D.C.E.T.
“You’d Set” = UDCET
- Understand
- Decide
- Commit
- Execute
- Transform