21: You Are Strategic

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

JEREMIAH 29:11

DURING MY TEN YEARS at Campus Crusade, now called CRU, I was privileged to have one-on-one times with Dr. Bill Bright, the founder.

I remember one of those times when Bill looked at me and said, “Bruce, every soul is precious to God; however, not every Christian is strategic. Make sure your life is strategic.”

God has strategic foresight for us and His ways are perfect, even more so in our season of life. Paul writes in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Here are four thoughts on being strategic for God.

Strategic Christians know their natural strengths and also their blind spots. I am amazed at how fearfully and wonderfully made we are (Psalm 139:14). We are designed to do God’s work and bring Him glory, and we are to be stewards of this uniqueness. This does not have an age limit. Some would call it “natural talents.” I call it diversity. Know your unique strengths, your diversity. It also helps to know your weak spots.

Strategic Christians know their spiritual gifts and how to mobilize them for the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts that enable us to minister with supernatural ability and impact for God’s glory. Know your spiritual gifts.

Strategic Christians build margin into their lives; they also know how to say no. Ensure that you discipline yourself to allow for unscheduled time. I frequently hear people use the word “busy.” I try not to use this word anymore because it speaks to a blind spot —that I cannot manage my schedule. I’m not questioning the value of all the things that busy people do. However, how can God possibly use us strategically if we’re always running flat out? It’s good to take a breath and simply reflect on Jesus’ life. His is an example of a life that had margin. The voice of the Holy Spirit doesn’t shout at us; rather, it whispers. Margin quiets the noise so we can hear the still small voice of the Spirit.

Strategic Christians have hyupomenō —an ability to be steadfast. I define this as “stick-to-it-iveness.” In the fast-food world we live in, we want to solve problems as quickly as possible. God wants people who will hang in there when there are no other options to choose. Being a strategic Christian means you won’t give up when the going gets tough. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Never give in, never, never, never.”[1]

Of course, there are more ways to be a strategic Christian; for example, being a person of prayer, being a student of the Word, having the ability to build and maintain genuine relationships, nurturing intimacy with God, and more.

I pray that these ideas will help you begin to reflect on how strategic of a Christian you are.

Questions

  1. Do you have an understanding of your natural talents and abilities? If someone were to ask you what you’re good at, what would you say? If he or she went further and asked what you’re passionate about, what would you say?
  2. In what areas of your life do you need to stay the course? How can you be steadfast in these areas?
  3. Where do you need margin in your life? Be specific. What steps can you take to develop appropriate space where it’s needed?