By Ron Edmondson

For over 20 years, as a consultant and coach, Ron has helped thousands of leaders and organizations. For over 35 years, he has served in senior ministry leadership roles. He served as CEO of the Leadership Network, planted two churches, and successfully revitalized three churches. Ron currently serves as lead pastor (for a second time) at the historic Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.

    Start a New Year With a Blank Page

    January 01, 2020
    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    One of my life goals has been to get to a blank piece of paper stage in my walk with God. Ultimately, I want to present God with a blank piece of paper so He can plan my life.

    It started like this. Years ago I was explaining to a friend I was at one of those “trying to discover God’s will” points in my life. (I have been there many times before and will be again.) His advice wasn’t something he had thought about a ton before. He admitted it sort of came to him quickly. But, for me it was the word I needed to hear.

    He said something like, “Maybe you need to start with a blank piece of paper and give God ample space to plan out the rest of your life. Make yourself completely available to Him.

    I left our meeting, however, with a very probing question for myself. Did I really even have blank piece of paper? And, not in the literal sense. I’m sure I could find blank paper somewhere—even in such a digital age. But, in my heart. Had I really released my will to God’s will?

    Over the next few weeks, through prayer and discipline, I attempted to get there—at least in that season.

    Over the years since then, I have periodically continued the self-examination. To do this I have to be honest with myself and the plans I have for my life. I certainly want to follow His lead, but I think many times my page is loaded with my own agenda. If I want my page to be completely blank, then I need to offer it back to God with nothing on the paper.

    But, it leads me to ask you the question:

    Have you given God a blank page to plan your life?

    Be prepared when you do. God seems to love a challenge. He is great at taking nothing and making something when we let Him draw the picture—write the story of our life. But, I’m not sure as followers of Christ—and, really as humans—whether we know it or not, if we can fully realize our ultimate design until we let the Creator have His way.

    The best thing you can do for yourself when planning for life is to give God plenty of margin to shape your plan. Actually, when we give Him our whole life we are in a better place than when we come with our own agendas.

    Click here to read the blog on ChurchLeaders.com

    About the Author

    For over 20 years, as a consultant and coach, Ron has helped thousands of leaders and organizations. For over 35 years, he has served in senior ministry leadership roles. He served as CEO of the Leadership Network, planted two churches, and successfully revitalized three churches. Ron currently serves as lead pastor (for a second time) at the historic Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.

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