Every once in a while, I have an experience that
gives me the opportunity to gauge how much I’ve grown over the years. Today, that opportunity came in the form of a
few sentences John Maxwell used in his reflection on leadership.
Here’s the quote:
“Successful individuals are intentional.
They aren’t scattered or haphazard.
They know what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. For a team to be successful,” Maxwell
concludes, “it needs intentional people who are able to remain focused and
productive, people who make every action count.”
Ten years ago – at the start of my journey as a
parish ministry – I would have stood on a table and shouted, “Amen!” in
response to Maxwell’s words. I was all
about having a plan in place, and pursuing it with single minded devotion. I was Mr. Intentional!
Today, my attitude has changed considerably. I can relate to the Woody Allen quote: “If
you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”
“So what are you saying, Craig?” you might
ask. “That a person shouldn’t be
intentional and plan for her or his future?!”
Absolutely not!
Intentionality is incredibly important. Making plans should also be a crucial part of
our lives. But here is where I differ
from John Maxwell. I think one of the most
important things we need to be aware of when we are creating plans, is that
many elements of our plans are subject to change. And with that awareness, we need to be ready,
willing, and able to adapt our plan to fit emerging circumstances.
I guess what I’m saying is that Maxwell’s two
favorite words in today’s devotion – “intentional” and “plan” – MUST be paired
with a third concept: flexibility.
Watch how you relate to those three concepts
today. As you move through your
intentionally planned day, are you willing to be flexible and adapt to the
changing circumstances around you; or are you so committed to your plan that
you miss out on the opportunity to adapt to a world in constant flux?
