Planning, Purpose + Prayer
Updated: Mar 20, 2020
I have planned for my future for as long as I can remember. I think many of us have, but somewhere along the way, we lose sight of our big dreams and begin to accept & operate within our perceived realities. Such a dangerous game that we play.
I can remember each goal that I had up until the age of 11. From wanting to be an author to working in the fashion industry, to what I imagined my husband would be like- they're all vividly encrypted into my memories. Between the ages of 11 and 19, I lost track of my very vivid and precise plans and began to kind of wander aimlessly through life. I had loose outlines of what I wanted for my future, but nothing precise enough to set goals and work towards. I ended up finding that spark again my sophomore year of college and have been manifesting my wildest dreams into reality ever since.
I posted a video on my YouTube channel about manifestation. I identify (spiritually more-so than religiously) as a Christian woman, so I do not buy into New Age Spiritualism and the depths of law of attraction and manifestation, but I know that life and death lie in the power of our tongues and that we should speak things that be not as though they were.
Last night, I spent some time updating my ten year plan- as some of my long term goals have shifted tremendously, thus impacting my short term goals. For years upon years now, I knew that I was going to become a lawyer. What started off as a goal to become General Counsel in the fashion industry transformed into wanting to change the policies impacting education. Despite my field of interest changing, I knew that I was going to become a lawyer either way. During grad school, I took ed policy electives and realized that I actually hated that work; furthermore, I was not even sure that I wanted to be an attorney anymore. My education and work experiences led me to want to pursue other opportunities within the field of education. Because of the type of person that I am, I still felt this pressure of having to go to law school because this was a goal that I had already set for myself so I had to see it through. My journey to law school has had so many interruptions along the way. No way the process should be this difficult right?
Sometimes, God allows obstacles to be placed in our way to challenge us and to grow our faith. It prepares us for the next season. Other times, He's trying to tell us to sit our behinds down, but we don't want to listen. It is difficult to know what He is trying to say when we do not know how to hear His voice. I desperately needed to hear His voice last year. I was going through a period of huge transition and trying to figure out what was next. I started off REAL good. I put all of my faith and trust in Him and knew that He would guide me. I would listen to Yolanda Adams x Open My Heart as I looked into career and education shifts because I just wanted to do whatever it is that he intended my existence for. When things were not going the way I wanted them to go or at the rate I felt they should go, I took matters into my own hands. I ended up in a job that I hated with zero personal or professional development- or so I thought.
It was a trying season for me, but I learned then and there to never waiver in my trust and faith in Him. It is true that God gets a good laugh when we create plans for ourselves without His guidance, but when we include Him and ask Him to order our steps for His will & way? BAYBEEEEE, He will show up and show out.
I invite you to begin praying and planning for the next few seasons of your life. Below are some of the ways in which I stay grounded in my planning.
Utilize a prayer/vision journal or board. Over the past few years, people have really gotten into vision boards. I personally opt for a journal so that I can keep it with me as needed. No matter which method you utilize, it is imperative to write the vision and make it plain.
Seek to hear His voice. I do not pray for ANYTHING without seeking God first. I am at a point in my life now where if it was not His intended purpose and time for me, then I do not want it. Many people are amazed when I show them my writings from years ago and the things I prayed for came to pass when I said I wanted them to. That is because I ask God to order my steps.
Do your part. You can go into your prayer closet, stay on bended knee, and write your dreams down until your fingers bleed, but if you do not put in the work required of you on your end, nothing will come to pass. I mean, yeah God saved Noah & them, but they def had to do their part and build the ark, ya dig?
Speak light and love over your life.I know everyone is obsessed with thinking that the evil eye has so much power over you, but I do not believe in any of that and I don't speak any of that over my life. It is okay to share your dreams with others. I know, I know "if they don't know your dreams, then they can't shoot them down." and "less announcements, more moves." and yadda yadda ya. Like yeah, duh, don't just talk about it, be about it, but as long as you're truly bout it bout it, it is okay to talk too. Some of you are so busy hoarding your dreams to yourself that you're blocking the blessings God has placed upon your path to help bring them to fruition. You cannot do it alone. I mean, please have discernment, because not everyone is in your corner, but when you find your tribe, good things will happen"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20 New International Version (NIV)).
Speaking of your tribe, find one! You need people who will hold you accountable. I don't know about you guys, but once I have verbalized something out loud to someone, I feel the pressure to make sure my word is bond. I tell my significant other, his mom, and my best friend all of my plans for my future. Stating my plans helps to bring clarity to my thoughts and helps me feel driven to make them proud when my plans come to be.
If you need some direction in hearing God and planning for your future, check out my girl Sydney's new book Purpose Driven Prayer Journal. This is NOT sponsored or anything. I purchased the book on my own accord and she has no idea I am writing this post. I just think that it is a good workbook for some guidance on your journey.
Happy planning!
Stunting + Shining
Future Dr. K. Neale ;-)