Confidence for the Future

Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (Prov. 3:5,6 NLT).

Introduction

Goal setting and vision casting are not only tasks used to accomplish New Year’s resolutions. Taking time to think, dream and pray can help you to know where God is leading you. By praying and trusting in Him, He will show you which path to take as you work towards your goals. First create a Vision Board for the Women’s Ministries Group. Then invite the women to create their own Vision Board.

Vision Board

A Vision Board is a creative tool used to help you take steps to walk in faith towards the dreams that God has placed in your life. By keeping your goals in sight, you will be reminded daily to pursue the goals those dreams. Begin by making list of all the things that are needed to accomplish these goals. Look in magazines, newspapers, google, or Pinterest for images that could depict these goals.

Vision Board for the Women’s Ministry Group

Invite God into the process. Pray asking Him to give the group a vision and direction for the future. Remember Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Invite all the women to be a part of this process. Establish the goals and how they can be accomplished with the Lord’s help.

Possible goals:

Increase membership: How: Hold a friendship tea to which the women can invite their friends and neighbors.

Effective Serve Projects: Survey your community to find an area of need that is not being met.

Education Programs: In what areas of daily life are the women interested in learning more about?

Vision Board for Each Individual

Once the women have experienced setting up a vision board for the Women’s Ministries Group, invite them to make a board for themselves. In what areas is He leading them to work towards—faith, spiritual life, health, family, telationships, finances, work. What is God putting on their heart? Remind them to keep praying and keep God at the center of their dreams and goals. Once completed they can hang their vision board in a place where they will see it over the next several months. When they see it, they should ask God to lead them in ways to accomplish the goals and dreams represented. And if they need motivation, add a sticker, or check mark to each task as it is accomplished.

God’s Plans

In a world where digital tools are at our fingertips, I must confess, that I still choose to purchase a paper planner each year. My planner is a place where I can keep track of my schedule, blocking out workdays and vacation days. I fill the pages as I create my to–do lists and record prayer requests. I add in the various projects that I am working on and line out my action steps so I can keep track of what I have accomplished and what I need to focus on. I am a visual person, so of course I add lots of stickers for birthdays and special events. My planner is a version of a vision board that I use daily.

As I look at my planner (my vision board) for the next year, the possibilities are endless. Each day is blank, waiting to be filled with color coded goals, activities, projects, or even intentional rest. It is human nature to try to control every situation I find myself in, and I often do not take the time to pause and reflect on what God would have me do. I need to remember that before I fill my days, I must pause and ask God to fill them for me so that I accomplish His will for my days.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” When we take that time to pause, to be still and to focus on God with all our heart, we do not need to worry about the future. When we trust Him, and seek His will, He will show us where He wants us to go, what to focus on, what goals are right for us, and how He wants us to spend our time. When we make Him a vital part of all we do, we will see that He guides our path and our purpose. So, go and fill your vision board with images and words that describe who you want to be in Christ and start working towards those goals.

Resources

Ashley Varner from the renewed mind explains vision boards from a Christian perspective. Watch her video here: https://ashleyvarner.com/should-christians-make-vision-boards/.