A Blueprint for Developing a Life of Excellence
Step 1: Don’t Be AFFRAID to Dream.
False Belief: Dreaming is WRONG.
28 ‘And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Â Joel 2:28 (NIV)
False Belief: Christianity is too limiting.
GUIDELINES FOR DREAMS:
- Dreams are God glorifying and people helping
- Dreams do not demand credit or my name in lights
- Dreams require me to develop my character and competence in order for them to be fulfilled
- Dreams necessitate counsel, evaluation and adjustments along the way
- Dreams ultimately bring others closer to God
- Dreams require me to start with what I already have
Step 2: Be Willing to Pay the PRICE.
False Belief: The cost of following dreams is too high.
3 For the dream comes through much effort…Â Ecclesiastes 5:3 (NASB95)
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, 11 So whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead. Â Philippians 3:8, 11 (TLB)
When we become aware that we do not have to escape our pains… those very pains are transformed from expressions of despair into signs of hope.” Â Â Henri J. M. Nouwen
Three Willing Attitudes:
1. Be willing to experience suffering.
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening - it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. Â Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)
21 This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps. Â 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)
2. Be willing to break through quitting points.
12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. Â Philippians 3:12 (CEV)
36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Â Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)
3. Be willing to raise the bar of excellence for the sake of God’s kingdom.
1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NLT)
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” Aristotle
Step 3: Enjoy the RIDE.
False Belief: If I’m having fun I must be doing something wrong.
11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Â Psalms 16:11 (AMP)
“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” Vince Lombardi
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Â Â Â Â Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
