Friday, February 26, 2010

Mission Statement Mania

Since I've become more regular in my blogginess, I find myself experiencing life in a different light.  Like when I first joined up on facebook, and found myself consciously updating my status in my mind, if not on my profile.  Constantly trying to whit-fully sum up in ten words or less what it is that I am doing.  The goal: make myself *laugh*out*loud*.  Well, now that I've learned to tame the addiction fun that is facebook, I am happy to say that I no longer live my life in third-person narrative.  I do, however, find myself going through my day-to-day with different eyes since becoming a blogger.  In perpetual search of my next topic.  Constantly seeking out spiritual parallels for things like pumping gas or picking out deodorant.  (Well, okay, I'm not really THAT bad, but I think you get the picture.)  The goal: furthering my writing skills God's kingdom.

It's hard for me to find the balance.  Hard to even know if that is what should be found.  How can I further God's kingdom while, at the same time, enhancing my writing skills?  And, even more importantly, what is my motive?  I mean, truly, what's my goal?  Not only as a writer, but even more so, as a mom.  As a wife.  As a friend.

I've been thinking a lot about goals and purpose lately.  It started about a year ago with the 2x4 God-smack and the Beth Moore study on Gethsemane from Jesus the One and Only.  And it's been greatly advanced by Kat at http://www.inspiredtoaction.com/.  God is using this woman to inspire me.  See, I've been wanting to be more intentional as a mom.  As a woman, really.  But how to do it.  Well, that's what this blog is about.  Specifically, this week we are working on defining our own mission statements.  And I am very, very excited about it.

Because this week, as I've prayed (a lot!!) about and pondered what my mission statement might be, I've found myself really struggling.  Feeling overwhelmed at times with all of the roles I play in life.  Examining everything I am involved in and the motives behind it.  Questionning my goals.  And finding them sorely lacking in some areas.  The truth is, I believe that God created me to bring glory to Him.  Period. 

"We were also chosen to belong to him. God decided to choose us long ago in keeping with his plan. He works out everything to fit his plan and purpose. . . We were chosen to bring praise to his glory."
Ephesians 1:11-12(NIRV)
The question of a mission statement, though, is, more specifically, how does He want to use me to that end?  How can I "bring praise to His glory?"  As a wife.  As a mom.  As a friend.  As a writer.  And I'm excited about the filter that will be my mission statement.
I'm seriously thinking you should check out Kat's blog.  It's good stuff.  Super good.
Have a great weekend!
p.s. I would love to hear your thoughts about balance in life as a woman with many plates to spin...

1 comment:

laura said...

Huh. I guess I wonder why we need a mission statement besides:

"Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself"?

I do think it's helpful to work through that process and evaluate yourself (same goes for working with hubby to evaluate your family), but don't all Christian mission statements boil down to those 2 most important commandments?

I guess my hesitancy about creating a mission statement is that it will either add to or take away from what God has purposed us to do. I don't want to define a goal that doesn't encompass everything God intended me to do. And I don't want to add parts (like part of Kat's was "have fun with my kids") that start to get equal footing with what God has actually purposed me to do.

The truth is that we WILL have fun with our kids, be better wives to our husbands, etc if we just stick to the basic TWO God already proposed! We can't PURSUE self-control, patience, peace, joy, etc - they can only be obtained by living in step with the Spirit - the "sap" that flows through us to produce the "fruit". Likewise, we shouldn't PURSUE things like "having fun with my kids" - they will flow from a joy-filled life in step with the Spirit...

At least, that's how I see it!

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