The Key to Building a Successful, Ministry, Blog, Business, You Name It

I love to read books, parenting, blogging, ministry, really just about anything. But if you're anything like me, by the time you read the book you have so many ideas that you have no place to start. Personally, I think this feeling of being overwhelmed, having SO much to do and not even knowing where to start is a tool the enemy uses to keep us right where we are. Satan shows us the forest and tells us, "Look at all those trees. There is no way you can chop them all down." Then we stare at that massive forest daunted, sit down, and take a nap. We are exhausted by the mere thought and exhausted by all we cannot possibly do.

God does things a bit differently. He shows us one tree. He says, "Chop this tree down." And when we are finished He shows us the next tree. He says, "Okay now, my child, chop this tree down." And one at a time He helps us clear the path we are supposed to take. We look back and are amazed by all WE have accomplished.

So what does all this talking about trees have to do with ministry or blogs or business or anything else for that matter? It has everything to do with it. When I first felt the call to transform Relentless from a ministry that put on a yearly conference to a community that reached people every day where they were and gave them the tools to equip them to get where they wanted to be, it was daunting. I was overwhelmed. I thought here I am raising twins, raising teenagers, and trying to grow a ministry into a community. But then the Holy Spirit guided me. I felt led to write down three things. When I completed these tasks I wrote down a few more things. One at a time, like the parts of a recipe, the community, the ministry came together.

I learned when I read a book or an article no matter what it's about I take one item and implement it. Just one at a time. Then I bookmark the article to come back to later - once I've completed my one take-away. This way I don't have the sudden compulsion to make an Excel spreadsheet just so I can figure out what to do next. No, just like in the parable, I chop down one tree, one little tree. And once that tree is cut down I turn and chop down the next. Give it a try. In time, you'll look back and there will be the path God has called you to take.

For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to give you hope and a future Jeremiah 29:11. We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9