Some love to start something new while some others hate the very thought of it! Personally, I enjoy new stuff – whether it’s travelling through a new road, launching a new project or tasting a new dish.
But before taking the big leap on to the new venture, it will be good if you could evaluate your motive against these 5 essential questions:
1. Am I emotionally-driven or purpose-driven?
Emotions can play with us! For instance, when emotionally down, we may feel like quitting. When we are hurt, we may sense a strong pull to prove our innocence. If you allow emotions to rule you, it has the power to ruin your life.
Proverbs 29:11 says, “Foolish people lose their tempers, but wise people control theirsâ€. So before moving on to the new venture, make sure you are driven by purpose, not pushed by emotions.
2. Am I wired to do this?
One of the wonderful things about God is that He has created each one of us to do something special. He built in us desires and skills to accomplish that work.
For instance, a nurse has an in-built attitude of caring while a carpenter has an in-built attitude of creativity. You possess a unique set of abilities and personality. So before launching into something new, make sure you are wired to undertake it.
1 Peter 4:10 exhorts, “Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of graceâ€.
3. Does my work history go with this?
Since God has wired us for a specific purpose, we will have an indelible mark of that purpose all through our work history. You may have changed jobs. You may have been in different work situations. But directly or indirectly, your life’s divine purpose has emerged often in all these.
For instance, Moses was destined to be a deliverer. But for many years, it seemed like that wasn’t his vocation. However, the truth is, his life’s purpose emerged at different situations – whether it was his own miraculous deliverance from death as a baby or rescuing a fellow Jew from his oppressor or rescuing Reuel’s daughters from the shepherds or tending his father-in-law’s sheep.
Evaluate your work history to see glimpses of your divine purpose. Then evaluate your new venture to see the same glimpse.
4. What does my spouse and close friends say about this?
When sensing the urge to launch out into the unchartered terrain, it is quite natural that most of the entrepreneurial kind of folks feel to do this in a hurry since they are overwhelmed with excitement. However there is great benefit in calming down and consulting with your spouse and close friends about your new venture.
The Scripture says in Proverbs 11:14, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safetyâ€. More than any other, it’s your spouse who knows you – your strengths, your weaknesses, your likes, your nature and many other. Your close friends also know you better than those in the outer circle. An open consultation with your spouse and close friends help you get a better picture about the feasibility of your new venture.
5. Have I counted the cost?
Every endeavor has got a price tag. Each task has different price tags on it. Nothing evolves without a price. This is especially true for a worthwhile task.
It is easy to jump in. But only those who pay the price can keep swimming upstream! Check out what Jesus said about this: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.” (Luke 14:28-30)
Cost is not always monetary. It can also mean time, willingness, ability and resources. Make sure you are committed to pay the price, whatever that be.
Question: How do you get ready to begin something new? Add your comments here.
– – – written by Joe Abraham from www.joeandancy.com
