I graduated last Friday night with my Doctor of Ministry, as you can see from the picture at right. It was a grand affair, well, at least from my perspective it was. Many friends and family showed up to celebrate the evening with me, I posed for lots of pictures and savored every moment. Many have asked me, "Now what are you going to do with your free time?", knowing that I stay pretty busy. Yet it is a legitimate question, for I learned long ago to set goals through a point and not just to a point. I do have goals to accomplish, by God's grace, from this point. I thought I would outline a few of them for you this week.
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?
- I will publish at least one book every year for the rest of my life. If I live to be as old as my mother (92), I will have 44 books to my credit when I die. I may not live to be her age, so that may require publishing more than one a year
- I will teach well. When I say teach, I want people to seek out my classes because they have the reputation to make a deep impact on lives and work.
- I will teach a lot. You may think I am repeating myself, but I am not. I will trust the Lord for time and for what He has put in me, by expecting it to come out when needed. Therefore, I will not say "no" to an opportunity to teach unless I have something already booked to do in that class time.
- I will work smarter and not harder. I am looking for wisdom to restructure my world of volunteers, staff and time available to maximize my impact on as many people as possible.
POST-GRADUATE STUDIES
The fifth goal to go with those above is that I will continue to learn and grow until I have no strength. I think (and hope) that my classroom time as a student is over, but not my classroom time as a learner. I will attend one seminar every year in some area of relevant interest and I will continue to read or listen to four to six books every month. I will accept the assignment to teach new classes with material with which I am not familiar and I will not allow perfectionism or fear to stop me from exploring, teaching and writing about new subjects.
I am now 61 years of age and I realize that my end may be tomorrow or in 30 years. All these plans are meaningless apart from Him and His help. I have to assume, however, that He is directing my thoughts because I have asked Him to do so. He is free to adjust me in any way, but I assume that He will actually help me do more than I am thinking, for Paul wrote, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21). What's more I count on Him to provide the energy for me to do the work as well: "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power" (Ephesians 3:7).
I am no longer afraid of making a mistake or choosing the wrong path. I am capable of doing so, but He is not! I trust Him to direct my steps and strengthen my legs.
I have other goals, but these will do for now. I just wanted you to know that I have a plan from here, and I invite you to join me in developing your own plans. Last Friday night was so enjoyable that I want to set and achieve even more for Him. It was so good that I want you to experience it for yourself. Have a great week as you take the first steps toward your own post-graduate studies in life and purpose.
Love the picture John!
I am looking forward to your books and learning through you and with you.When I feel I have little strength to pursue ideas that I believe He puts in my mind, the references you quoted are indispensible.
God bless you.
Judy
Posted by: Judy MIchael | May 23, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Thank you for today's Memo, John! An excellent and inspiring message - I am prompted to take strategic steps.
Posted by: Angela Hough | May 23, 2011 at 10:28 AM
John,wanted to be there but wasnt feeling well.I was encouraged by postings 502/503. I thank you God for men who aren't afraid to lead and make themselves vulnerable. The Leadeship short fall is a huge problem in the church today.Where did the church get the idea that we are 'all to be sheep'?Dont confues meekness with weakness.(2Cor12:9)The thorn in the case of the American church is 'fear and indifference' to expose your self and submit to the living God.Its He who gives us grace and power to overcome the thorn!John Maxwell wrote"Visions make leaders passionate;thorns keep them authentic.Thanks for being authentic brother!
Posted by: david jacobs | May 23, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Well done John!!
I am so inspired by your example. Indeed may He equip you with everything good for doing His Will and may He work in you what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb 13:21)
Posted by: Elizabeth | May 23, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Congratulations. Thank you for encouraging us with your determination to keep on succeeding! The Lord bless you and continue to direct you. Shalom
Posted by: Patricia | May 24, 2011 at 05:52 AM
Congraturations John. You are a great encouragement in the house of the Lord. May the Lord continue to give you strength and inspiration to share. My prayer for you is that you Finish Strong like the great men of the Bible: Daniel,Joseph and Paul, among others.
Posted by: Agnes | May 25, 2011 at 07:31 AM
Congratulation. You inspire me a lot.Studying, slimming, writing inspiration sermons.You inspire me!
Posted by: Susan Masake | June 06, 2011 at 02:02 PM
I love this post for so many reasons... thank you so much! As a new mom with all of my time and space squeezed into little bits, I have struggled to continue making art... but recently I have adopted your outlook and managed to fit it in... which means I have art materials all over the kitchen table and have completely stopped doing housework, but I am doing it!
Posted by: essay writing | September 22, 2011 at 09:44 AM