Running the Year Intentionally

Hi guys, HAPPY NEW YEAR. 

2023 is already three days old. Can you imagine? Did you review the previous year? Have you made plans for this year? More importantly, have you started running with the plans? If yes, how are you running? Just running or running intentionally? You should be running intentionally, we all should run through the year intentionally. 

You see, no one can depend on vibes to run the year. Vibes fade, eventually. It's a new year and for most people, resolutions have been made. Visions and plans have been written here and there, which are all good. But the vibes that come with the new year will soon fizzle out. It's fickle. I think mine has fizzled out already sef 😆 

The real thing that can carry you through the year in fulfilling your plans and converting your goals from idea to I did it is discipline. Intentional discipline. You must commit to showing up, no matter your mood, emotion, or feeling. 

According to the Wheel of Life Theory, there are about twelve areas of a person's life and every area demands intentional investments. It cannot be left to chance. Each part of the wheel must function optimally if the entire wheel will function optimally. I write on some areas that we should be intentional about. Enjoy! 

One. Spiritual growth and development. Pay attention to prayer, Bible study, and confession. These three things are vital to your spiritual growth and development and they cannot be outsourced. Do the work. 

Pray a lot, in tongues, everywhere and every time. This is not the year to do life without prayers. 

Study the word. Read the Bible, and put the word into your life. The amazing thing about the word is that there's a word for every area of life. Dig it out and apply to your life. 

I like the way Pastor Mildred Kingsley-Okonkwo explained the importance of the word from the story of the wedding at Cana. I'll explain it right away. 

So the wine at the wedding got exhausted and Mary the mother of Jesus wanted to solve the issue. So she met Jesus to do something but His time had not come. That was His response. She went ahead to tell His disciples to do whatever He said and they obeyed. 

Now in the Jewish culture, water symbolizes the word of God. There were six water pots and they represent the six days of the week. The seventh day is Sabbath. Pouring water into the pot is synonymous with filling your life with the word of God. When you need to pour out a drink, you get wine. And if you know anything about wine, the longer it stays, the better it becomes. So, get busy filling your pots with water. You'll soon need a drink. The revelation here is so dope. I hope we practice it intentionally. 

And then keep your confessions right. Confessions are way different from positive speaking. While positive speaking is simply saying good words, confession is saying the word of God. Angels do not recognize positive words, they recognize and work with the word of God. Psalms 103:20. Angels are your ministers, provide them with the tools they need, and confess the word. Don't keep quiet. 

Now to the next intentional investment to be made: personal growth and development. I know you saw this coming. Read books, attend events, and conferences,  expand your mind, learn new things, and evolve. 

Three. Your relationships. No great relationship happens by chance. Pay attention to the relationships you have. Family,  friends, mentors,  mentees, partners, networks, etc. Iron sharpens iron…be a great friend. 

Four. Business/career. I strongly believe that Jesus was the best carpenter of His time. Can you imagine that someone else produced a better chair than Jesus? Be like Jesus even in the marketplace. Serve excellence, always.  Not just for the referrals and recommendations, but as a culture. Take up courses, sharpen your skills.  Whatever your hands find to do, do well. 

Five. Your health. I know God has healed you and no sickness can come near your temple, but please work for the health you're praying for. Don't throw trash into your temple. Pay attention to your diet. You are what you eat. Rest well too. There's no medal for burnout. You need your body to be here on earth, take good care of it. And then exercise regularly. Exercise is not just for weight loss, but for fitness. You need to be fit for purpose. 

Six. Your finances. In my church, the word for us this year is More. And that also means more money. Save, invest, and establish multiple streams of income. I doubt that things will get cheaper, but we must get richer, amen? 

Seven. Ministry. Be more intentional about witnessing to others. Don't reduce evangelism to an event. Make it a lifestyle. Preach as you go; in the bus, salon, office,  etc. Let people be susceptible to knowing Jesus when they meet you. 

Also,  serve in your local church, and don't stress your pastor this year. Attend programs. Be very regular and punctual. If you attend a great church like mine, maximize the greatness. 

Eight. Purpose. Be intentional about serving the world with your gifts. We all have gifts. You are unique, you have what it takes to leave your mark on the sands of time. It's not too late to start running. The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The next best time is today. Don't cry over wasted years, it's what you do from now on that matters. Put your hands to the ground and plant.  

Rev. Teju Oduwole said in one of her teachings that whenever you wake up is your own morning. A person that wakes up by 4 am will be greeted 'good morning'. So also anyone that wakes up by 8 am, 10 am, 7 am, and 11:55 am. So wake up and have a good morning. 

It is my prayer that we end this year fulfilled. That our plans come to pass. And that most importantly, we run our race and remain on the track. 

Happy new year,  once again. 

Love and light, 

Nancita✨