Devotional: September 2009

Mission Statement

The Holy Spirit has been working in so many areas of my life that I have begun analyzing my motives, behavior and habits comparing them with God’s Word and His standard for living like never before.  In all honesty, it was hard to pick just one topic for this month’s devotional because of this!  So I’m simply going to tell you about a change I have made that encompasses all these things and hopefully it will encourage you to begin to move toward the abundant life that we are promised in Christ.

Several years ago, a woman asked me for some advice.  She had a stronghold in her life and there seemed to be no way to break it, no matter how much determination she had.  My advice to her, in addition to repentance, accountability, etc. was that she take the time to write out a “mission statement” for her life.  It would be something that would include the goals that she had and that would only be accomplished as she walked in victory and also stated who she was in Christ as a reminder of the power of God that was available to her.  She felt like she had been “wandering in the wilderness”, so to speak and she wanted to move on with her life.  I felt this “mission statement” would be a great way to take the first step.

It occurred to me recently that I had not even taken my own advice!  I guess we all have things that we “deal with” on a daily basis when our humanness kicks in.  But I don’t want to reach the end of my next decade still dealing with the same issues of life with the same intensity.  I want to be able to look back and see that I have gotten victory over those things, that I have made a difference in people’s lives, and therefore am able to look forward with great anticipation to the next decade. 

That doesn’t happen by accident.  You don’t keep doing the same things, walking around the same mountain and end up with different results.  And yet so often we take that approach to life and wonder why things stay the same.  Every good business or non-profit organization has a mission statement, as well as most churches, colleges, even some families (which I highly recommend).  Mine is a proclamation of the things that the Holy Spirit is working in me and that I want to become.

So I start my day with this.  After I get my coffee, head out on the deck or sit on the couch with my Bible and spend time with the Lord, I read this with great conviction.  Oddly enough, it sets the tone for the day for me.  It’s not hocus pocus or some kind of magic, but even the Scripture teaches that our words have power (Prov. 18:21).  I’m not saying you have to do this specifically, but I would like to encourage you not to just sail through life without reaching a goal or winning a battle.  Get a game plan, and move forward in Jesus name.

Here’s mine…

I am an anointed woman of God, the righteousness of God in Christ, bought by the blood of Jesus, chosen for such a time as this.

By the grace and power of God, I will live today with purpose in an attitude of thankfulness for what God has blessed me with and knowing all things will work together for my good.

I will walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh, bringing my body under subjection for His glory.  I will guard my heart, keep my tongue, and focus my mind on Christ.

Whatever I do today, I will do joyfully to the best of my ability as a form of worship to the Lord.  I will use my time wisely, but also be open to a change of schedule as the Holy Spirit orders my steps.

I will encourage, love and serve my husband.  I will treat people like I want to be treated and be a bold ambassador for Christ.

I will enjoy my day because this is the day God has given me to live.  I will not allow the minor annoyances of life to steal my joy, because I operate in the fruits of the Spirit.

--Sonya