Vision 2021

Last week, in the spirit of hope for a brighter future, I asked you to envision what your year 2021 will be like.  Specifically, I invited you to ask God what His plan for your life is for the upcoming year.  And to view it as though it had already happened and you are looking back on what happened and what was achieved.  The aim of this exercise is to create a compelling vision of the future that will inspire action.

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve” – Napoleon Hill

I told you I would share what I heard in doing the same exercise.  I wrote it down unfiltered, without thinking about it.  I feel like if I do much thinking that I end up with a watered-down version of what I am really being charged with doing.  I’m going to put this in quotes like God is talking.  Obviously it is only my interpretation.  Anyway, here it is:

“I want you to facilitate the development of a community of people striving to make it to heaven. 

Of course, whether any of you succeed is up to my grace, but I gave you all a reason for being.  It is up to each of you to figure out what yours is, and to live it out to the best of your ability.

I want you to help people do that.  Specifically, I want you to attract others to this community who are serious about doing the following:

1. Being themselves, their God-given authentic selves;
2. Seeking, finding, and developing their God-given talents;
3. Using their talents to provide value to others;
4. Behaving virtuously;
5. Striving to get a little better every day;
6. Inspiring, encouraging, and helping others to do the same, and;
7. Having some fun along the way.

I want you to give them a place to learn how to do each of the above, and to interact and support one another.  And by the way, when I say them, you are included.  You are helping yourself by helping others.

I also want you to help them to deepen their faith in Me; to seek, find, and live by truth; to be role models for living by the greatest commandments and the golden rule; and to have the courage to do all of the above.

Yes, the sad fact is that it takes great courage to live a Christ-centered life nowadays.  Seems odd that the best way to live, the way to true happiness now and forever, is looked down upon by your increasingly secular society.  Why is it considered the hard way to live when it should be so easy, and so satisfying?  I gave you the simple rules long ago, just play by them.

Anyway, go make some good things happen.  I will guide you along the way as always.  All you need to do is listen and take action.  Good things will happen when you do.  If they don’t, it just means you aren’t paying close enough attention.

You should provide entertaining lessons and engaging challenges.  You should make use of video as well as the written word.  You should also provide ways for members to get to know each other.  Give them a forum where they can learn from each other.  You should also interview them to share their expertise.  I gave you all unique talents that are meant to be shared for your mutual benefit. Introduce outside experts to the group as well.

And do this all in a way that makes it easy for others to join the community and bring themselves up to speed at their own pace.  Then encourage members to invite their like-minded family and friends to join in all the fun.  Yes, make it fun.

I’d like this community to grow to a point where people can truly help each in living their daily lives.  I especially see this as a place where generations can learn from, and support each other.  Where a young person might discover or advance their career though connections established in the group.  Or an older person might find the assistance they may need through a younger member.  By the way, the split between young and old is one year older than Scott’s age:-)

The key is to get and keep people focused on what truly matters in life, and away from what does not.  That is easier said than done and requires that we assist each other on an ongoing basis.  Establishing personal connections helps to make that happen.

So in 2021 I expect to see the development of a thriving online community of Playground Saints Alive.  Playground signifying fun and being yourselves as you were back in your early days.  Saints meaning striving to be and give your absolute best for the benefit of others. And Alive conveying that you are living life to the fullest as I, your God, intended; in community with one another.  My-speed (Godspeed)!”

Okay, well that is quite a challenge.  That is how I know it is coming from above and not from me.  I would have aimed a little lower.  You know, using the under-promise and over-deliver methodology to mediocrity.  Instead I’m being asked, no told, to aim for excellence.  Yes sir, I’ll do my best.

I’m not sure yet exactly how I will do what I have been tasked with here.  But I do feel a sense of urgency to figure it out and get it rolling.  Once again, one of my bible readings for the day gives me the feeling that time is of the essence.  I keep trying to keep these end-time verses out of sight, out of mind, but they keep appearing to my dismay.

But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.  Mark 13:32-33

So here’s what I’m going to do.  I’m going to take the month of December off from writing these weekly articles in order to come up with specific plans for 2021.  I will send progress reports through email as I have them.

If you currently get these messages through email you will be informed about what is coming next and how to participate.  If not, you can join our email list by either signing up for the newsletter at the bottom of this linked page, or to stay in the loop at the bottom of this linked page.

In the meantime, if you received your 2021 assignment from above, I encourage you to start making general plans in that direction.  Making specific plans will likely be one of the things we do first in January, but there is no need to delay if you are ready.  Or take it easy this month in preparation for a big leap forward next year.  Rest, relax, and enjoy the Holidays with family and friends.

Happy Holidays to All of You Playground Saints Alive!  Scott