Photo by Covene on Unsplash
“If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail”
– Benjamin Franklin.
Challenge
I intentionally started with that quote not to be repetitious of its popularity but to remind you that this is still true today. I don’t want you to ever fall into the trap of just letting life be. If you let life just be, you are setting yourself up for some days and seasons you will constantly regret.
Serious challenges await you, like people who think you should never say No as a Christian entrepreneur of business owner. You better be willing to say hell to the no and not feel guilty about it.
Think about facing things like, people who you thought would support your business Won’t. You will lose friends, you will come under attack, your priorities will change. On top of that, sometimes people will try to take advantage of you especially as a Christian entrepreneur or business owner.
If you are not ready for these in the proper way, things can get ugly. Ugly to the fact that you can regret your response numerous times. This can spill over and reflect in your life and business. Hence the need to have a plan for your spiritual growth.
You need a plan
The Almighty God thought it important to have a plan. So why are you and I trying to think about sliding by without one? Do you think we can get far by operating our life and business any kind of way?
A spiritual growth plan is essential because it provides direction. You can clearly have the blueprint of where you need to go. And the good thing about it is, even if you have never been there before, God has someone out there that can show you. Nothing better than having persons in your life that can help you who has the experience. Another benefit of spiritual growth plan is it helps you to stay focus. Surely you must aim to live life for a cause. If black lives matter, white lives matter, then spiritual growth definitely should matter.
Lastly, you get to see how and if you’re progressing. And if you lose your way, you can quickly evaluate and see what needs to be done for better results.
Creating a spiritual growth plan
1. Setting spiritual goals
Decide on what you want to accomplish.
e.g. grow in your faith – strengthen your faith, be more firm in your beliefs, take more risk in trusting God, rather than fearing.
More consistent times in prayer and meditation.
More consistent times in reading, studying and applying the word.
Show more kindness – find more ways to serve others.
Practice gratitude – find the things to be thankful for in every situation.
More self-care – allow yourself more meaningful times for renewal and refreshing.
Become more Christlike – deny self, demonstrate love and character of Christ.
2. Choose spiritual growth practice
Read bible every day, minimum one chapter.
Pray every day, choose one specific area each day.
Show one (1) act of kindness every day.
Choose one (1) day each week for me time.
3. Scheduled time for spiritual activities
Select best reading time – morning, afternoon, night.
Select best prayer time – morning, afternoon, night.
Select act of kindness – do this day before.
Select day for me time.
4. Review and adjust plan
Build on what’s working.
Change and adjust what’s not.
Balancing business and spiritual growth
There is a big myth out there that religion and business don’t mix. That’s the problem, you shouldn’t aim to be connected to religion, but rather relationship with God through Christ, aided by his Spirit. God wants to be in every area of your life and that includes your business.
Keeping God out of your business means you prefer to be a Frank Sinatra singing “I did it my way”. Well that’s an insult to God because you’re supposed to be a Proverbs 3:5 believer “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Ways to include God in your business – pray at your business place at the start and end of each day, this can even include before meetings, etc. Pray over your products and services. Pray for your employees, customers, clients, partners, etc.
I even dare you to pray for other business owners, whether Christian or not. Surely you’re not afraid of God blessing someone else’s business aye? Take time to offer inspirational words, acts of kindness, donate to charity, schools, elderly, local church, community from your business.
The benefits of spiritual growth plan
As with any other plan, there should be an intended goal and benefits. The benefit of a plan for a home is to provide a place of shelter, right? Let’s take it a step further, can you see yourself experiencing greater peace because of an intentional spiritual growth plan? Peace of heart and mind, peace in your soul, being at peace even when you’re under attack and not living in anxiety and fear.
Imagine gaining better clarity in your identity and purpose. You definitely need to aim to lock that down in your life. If you’re reading this and you’re over forty, you don’t have time to waste. I say to you HURRY UP! Shouting in my time is running out voice. Another benefit will be too better position yourself for success in both business and personal life. All because you will live with a greater intention to follow the biblical principles of God and his word.
See you again soon.
Take care until………and God Bless ya
I’d love to hear how you feel in the comments, What’s one thing you need to work on at this time in your life?
