Plan, Prepare, Build

One day while I was in college I decided to build a bench. Why? Simply because I wanted to build something. I didn't have any plans...just a "good idea" rolling through my head (and a limited knowledge of what a bench is from sitting on one before).So I went for it.I was proud of it. Mostly because it stayed together when you sat on it. But if I'm honest, it wasn't my best work. I was just making it happen.I had some inspiration that motivated action. But I was missing some important elements that lead to excellence: plans and preparation.Proverbs says it this way:

Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.Proverbs 24:27

Don't underestimate the value of taking time to plan and prepare before you build.There have been times in leadership and ministry where I was so excited and inspired that I jumped right to build BEFORE I took time to plan and prepare.Planning and preparation gives you the opportunity to:Be intentional.See strengths and potential weakness.Figure out what or who you will need in the process.Move decisions based on emotion to decisions based on conviction and clarity.Take time to PLAN, PREPARE and BUILD.One last thought: Don't let the desire to plan and prepare keep you from action. Proper planning and preparation should move us toward action, not to a place of inactivity.