While walking across the parking lot toward the small, country church with my young wife and baby boy, I thought to myself, “If I ever figure out what I’m doing, I’m going to spend the rest of my life helping others figure out what they are doing.”

I was 26 years old and serving for the first time as a full-time pastor.

That was 29 years ago.

I still don’t know everything I want to know or need to know, but I’m much farther down the road than I was then. I have enough knowledge and wisdom accumulated through continuing education and trial and error to assist others ably. I know where to look for what I don’t know. That may well be my most valuable service in many cases. I also have the privilege of associating with wise and experienced leaders who bring infinite insights to bear on problems and opportunities of all sizes.

Over a dozen years ago, I completed my first life planning process. A professional leadership coach walked me through ten sessions aimed at helping me discover at a deep level who I am and what I do best. I spent big bucks on this process and I can honestly say what I paid does not compare with what I gained. In retrospect, I gladly would pay much more than I did for what I received.

One of the exercises my coach had me complete was creating my ideal job description. He asked me to take my top three strengths and turn them into a position description I would show up for joyfully for the rest of my life. I did.

On our next call, he asked how that part of the process went. I told him, “Great, except there aren’t any jobs like that.”

“Yet,” he replied.

Two years later, a job was created fitting my ideal job description. Long story short, I got to do what I loved in the place I wanted to live. My wife was able to move into the position she wanted, and we started our new jobs on the same day.

It’s ten years later now and I am much more fully living the dream God placed in my heart all those years ago. Every day I get to help church leaders figure out how to follow their own God dreams through the Life Younique personal calling and life planning process. Every day I get to help churches discover their mission and vision through Church Unique. I get to work with some of the most wonderful people our Father in heaven ever placed on this planet.

How cool is that?

What’s stopping you from a similar experience?

Questions for Reflection and Action:

1. What dream has God placed in your heart?
2. What is your ideal job description?
3. What are your next steps toward that special future?
4. How may I serve you in turning those dreams into reality?
5. Have you considered a life planning process like Life Younique?

Want more information about Church Unique (www.auxano.com) or Life Younique (www.lifeyounique.com)? Email me at david@www.davidgbowman.com.php72-35.phx1-2.websitetestlink.com.