Start with the End in Mind by Steven Vongchanh

One of the most effective principles I've heard is to begin with the end in mind. In Jeremiah it states, "I have thoughts that I think of you, saith the Lord. Thoughts of peace, not of evil to give you an expected end." And if anything, the Bible is a love story and lessons to bring us back into the presence of our Father in heaven ultimately in the end of our lives here one earth. Starting each venture with the end in mind is a biblical principle.

One of my accountability partners ask often, "What does that look like?" Starting with the end in mind looks a lot like having a clear visual of the path and steps you need to take to get to your goal. When starting Coalesce we had this ultimate goal of community and network. Seeing saints in active communion with one another and serving side by side. When asked how would we get there, it looked a lot like the back seat of a car with Jesus at the wheel. Sounds great right? Something we learn about in John 5 is that we must pick up our mat and that requires action on our part to get things done. The story in John doesn't say if the man ultimately pictured himself in the presence of Jesus standing in the temple, but that is how the story ended.

Even in our daily walks we pray to be in the Spirit and to have peace. That story in John the impotent man is in the presence of healing power, but isn't healed. Many times we are victims subject to the events surrounding us and the actions of others. And we, at times, feel its God's responsibility to work in those around us for that peace. And we are like this man who lacks the help to get him to the healing waters. If we ultimately seek to be in the presence of the Lord, we must free ourselves from relying on others for the outcomes we seek and take responsibility for our peace.

In what area in your life have you been asking the Lord to help or bless you? In all walks of life, I implore you to prayerfully set goals for yourself, short term and long term. And prayerfully ask and seek areas in your life that you CAN pick up your mat and walk. And I pray that you will be able to experience the sense of peace that comes from taking action. And perhaps we will have an opportunity to stand in the presence of the Lord, well aware of who He is and the work He has had in our lives.