10 Must-Haves to Prepare for Your Life Journey

Everyone wants to know what to do with their lives. Here's how you can find out and stay motivated in your calling!

By Dewey Novotny

you can Are you thinking about making plans to go someplace important in life? I call that our "Great Trip." When it comes to our pursuits—whether careers, ministry, or otherwise—God has established a perfect standard for developing plans: they must be revealed by Him, motivated by purpose, and in response to His will, rather than initiated by or centered on ourselves.

Purpose involves people, ignites passion, and inspires pursuit. When it is time to take the Great Trip of life, there are ten must-haves that will get you on the right way, at the right time, with the right destination in mind. These principles will best prepare you to reach out and serve others when you know where you're going in life.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

1. Choose Your Driver

A Great Trip requires a Great Driver and total surrender to His plans and purpose. Am I willing to do God’s will, whatever it may be? If not, am I willing to be made willing?

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’” (Luke 9:23).

Step of Action: Surrender Totally

2. Select Your Vehicle Type

There are two types and two choices according to Scripture. Do I choose to be a vessel unto honor or one unto dishonor?

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable" (2 Timothy 2:20).

Step of Action: Choose Honor

3. Arrange Your Schedule for Heavenly Input

Have I prayed fervently about God’s direction? Is fasting appropriate for this situation?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Step of Action: Pray and Fast

4. Check Your Map

Consider the principles, guidance, commands, and prohibitions of Scripture. What motivating verses or promises has God given me?

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Step of Action: Review Scripture

5. Turn on Your GPS, the Holy Spirit

Listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Is God motivating me toward or away from a particular course of action?

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13).

Step of Action: Listen to the Holy Spirit

6. Consider Current Conditions

Analyze the providential circumstances in your life. Has God arranged events to give me positive guidance? Is this God directing my steps?

“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).

Step of Action: Evaluate Providential Circumstances

7. Consult Experienced Travelers

What prayerful counsel have I received from my parents and Christian mentors who know me well and are familiar with my situation?

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15).

Step of Action: Obtain Godly Counsel

8. Get In—With Your Destination in Mind

What combination of skills, gifts, and talents has God given me to delightfully serve and effectively minister to a group of people I really care about? How does God want me to use these to accomplish His purpose in my life?

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

Step of Action: Review Your God-Given Gifts and Abilities

9. Start Your Engine—and Listen

Do I have continued inner peace as I consider the above factors in prayer? Or do I experience restlessness, impatience, or inner conflict?

“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever” (Isaiah 32:17).

Step of Action: Seek Peace

10. Proceed Faithfully

Is now the time to proceed (or delay or halt) by faith, to respond to the light God has given through one or several of the above principles? Before proceeding, George Müller (Christian evangelist and coordinator of orphanages in Bristol, England) asked himself, “Is this God’s work, done God’s way, in God’s timing?”

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act” (Psalm 37:3-5).

Step of Action: Exercise Faith

Once under way, watch for and respond to God’s leading. As new opportunities and circumstances arise, ask yourself, “Is this consistent with my purpose and prior planning…or is this God directing my steps?”

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

novotny

Dewey Novotny and his wife, Chardell, are parents to three CollegePlus! students and seven kids in all. Find out more about life purpose and get free audio downloads at lifepurposeplanning.org.

For additional help in establishing godly direction for your life as you pursue life goals, visit www.lifepurposeplanning.org. You will find each step above referenced to specific pages, exercises, and sections of the Life Purpose Planning Workbook. All Scripture quoted from the English Standard Version, copyright Standard Bible Society.

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3 comments so far - Leave a comment below

Wow! I really needed to hear this! Being a high school senior, I've tried to seek God's will for my future. This came along at just the right time! Thank you!!! God bless!!!

— Luci Tuesday, March 3, 2009 4:54 PM CST

Great message!!

— Micah Wednesday, March 4, 2009 1:11 PM CST

Thanks so much! I needed to hear this!

— Danielle Friday, March 13, 2009 9:12 PM CDT

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