Setting Your Course

Knowing how to covert a dream or desire to reality has been elusive for many seeking a more focused life. Over forty years has been dedicated to helping others find practical ways to do just that. The results have been astounding. Recently, I gathered twelve men and their spouses to celebrate the completion of a two-year developmental journey. We met over a delicious dinner and shared what God had done over our time together.
The first stage of the journey consisted of establishing an internal compass to find their way to living a life centered on the transformational truth of God’s word. Beliefs, values, perceptual attitudes, and motives were tuned to the heart of God. A personal alignment plan was formulated and strategic plan of implementation was executed. The second stage of the journey involved the discovery of their unique wiring in terms of Biblical purpose, life purpose, committed passion, role non-negotiables, unique methodologies—their toolkit, and ultimate contribution to God’s redemptive purposes. A personal life mandate was developed encompassing these elements. The result projected a trajectory for their life that will help them engage their God-inspired journey until He calls them home.
Once we completed our meal I described what had transpired over the time we had spent together. I told the gathering that before God can work effectively through us He must first work surgically in us. Once our beliefs, values, attitudes and motives are in alignment with God’s commands, precepts, and principles we are ready to engage His purposes for us that were determined before we ever came to be. When we live our lives in accordance with His design for us we are fulfilled.
The graduates then shared their perspectives about the experience, lessons they learned and have applied, and their intentions going forward. Their comments concluded with a public declaration of their life purpose, committed passion, and ultimate contribution—the legacy they hope to leave when God beckons them home. After the last person shared the spouses spontaneously stood and gave a resounding round of applause. Several emotionally remarked how fortunate they were to have a spouse who intends to live a God-honoring life of intentional focus.
In addition to helping others calibrate their heart to the heart of God and providing a means to determine their distinct trajectory, I have mentored many to help them build sustaining accountability and momentum for finishing well. I have not only encouraged others to be mentored but also to mentor others.
Although I have developed resources to facilitate the development of one’s compass, map, and guide I had never put them together in a single resource. I have received many requests along the way to do so. With decades of experience leading others to find their compass, use it to navigate their map, and seek out guides that will help them make progress to finish well, I thought it was time to put it together in one book.
Purpose
The purpose of the book is to help the men and women set their course, provide focus for their life, engage God’s journey for them, and finish the journey well. The book is divided into three parts preceded by a prologue and followed by an epilogue. Many of the chapters provide thoughtful questions that will assist you in the preparation of executable plans. You will be directed to appropriate additional resources and applicable appendices to help you. Each part—the compass, the map, and the guide—provides directions on how to prepare a deliberate plan of action. Forms for each of these plans are provided. Once each of these plans is completed, you will have a Focused Life Plan to implement so that you will finish well.
The prologue presents a wide-awake dream depicting a scenario where the dreamer is led to a heavenly throne where they find out what is in store for them and their part in it. The epilogue provides a summary and serves to put the entire journey together into a comprehensive whole – a focused life driven by a calibrated heart, defined by a unique and personal life trajectory, and aided by guidance and accountability from others who will help us realize our calling.
Part 1 – The Compass – explains the importance of orienting our lives in accordance with established compass points. Once we understand how to use the compass, how to plot our course, how to find our bearings, and how to determine the direction we are to take to fulfill our destiny, we are ready for the exciting journey that lies ahead. Beliefs, values, attitudes, and motives will be examined under the microscope of God’s word. Alignment procedures will be presented. Corrective and preventative measures for finishing well will be outlined. The field of transformational change is the heart. Transformation of the heart leads to transformed behavior. Directions on how to develop a Personal Alignment Plan will complete this section. Part 1 is about God working in you so that He may work through you.
Part 2 – The Map – defines the trajectory we are to engage based on how God has wired us. This section will help a man or woman move from a scattered approach to living life to a laser beam like focus. Beginning with an all-out commitment to Him, a focused life is a life dedicated to exclusively carrying out God’s unique purposes through it by identifying the focal issues, that is, biblical purpose, life purpose, committed passion, major role, unique methodology, and ultimate contribution which allows and increasing prioritization of life’s activities around the focal issues, and results in a satisfying life of being and doing. Directions on how to develop a Personal Life Mandate will complete this section. Part 2 is about God working His redemptive purposes in the world through you.
Part 3 – The Guide – stresses the importance of being mentored and mentoring others. Those who have finished well have had multiple mentors in their lives; intensive, occasional, and passive mentors who guide them along their unique trajectory. Living a legacy worth leaving in the lives of others is addressed. Guidance on how to finish well is provided. You be taught how to find a mentor to address your developmental needs. You will also be given counsel on how to determine what type of mentor you are and how to mentor others. Accountability guidelines are also addressed. Directions on how to develop a Personal Mentoring Strategy will complete this section. Part 3 is about God working in and through us with the support of others working with us.
Throughout the book you will be given opportunity to think through responses to key questions introduced by the phrase Personal Assessment. You will be encouraged to ponder thought provoking questions that will help you come to clarity about your uniqueness and God’s intended focus for your life. Your responses will prepare you to develop the three plans.
I encourage you to carefully read the book in its entirety. The real payoff, however, is when you proactively apply what you are learning by answering questions posed throughout the book, prepare the plans recommended at the end of each part, and execute the specifics of each plan in a disciplined and dedicated fashion. I also encourage you to conduct an annual personal audit to evaluate your progress and revise your plans accordingly.