The "D" Word: step One on the Bridges Coaching ROAD
In Bridges Coaching, we use a process called the ROAD. It is an acronym for moving forward. It begins with R for Recognition.
It all starts here. We can not move forward if we have not identified the goal. Life is not simply a Sunday drive. No one uses a GPS on a Sunday drive. God asks us to partner with Him toward the individual goals and personal destiny in mind for each of us.
There are two types of foci God wants us to move toward.
- Character development. This is the transformational process every believer should be intentionally partnering in, some would call it sanctification or discipleship. Character development includes focus on the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control and how we live them out in real life. It welcomes healthy interactions with others- believers and pre-believers, family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. It includes a regular practice of personal soul care and is built on a strong relational connection with God. We will all be in the process of our character development as long as we are in human bodies. (Note: making action steps to focus on character development requires savvy coaching, but it is possible and valuable!)
- Personal destiny. God puts different dreams in each of our hearts. Some are called to be business leaders, or writers, or inventors. Others have relational or technical skills. Some are meant to be ministry leaders. There are often multiple chapters in a person's life as well, especially for parents. Knowing what your focus is for the season you are in takes work.
This is where the "D" word comes in: DISCERNMENT.
Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with this word.
I love that God has personal thoughts and plans for me. I love that I am uniquely designed. I love that He wants relationship with me as I/we walk through life. The thought of doing life together with Him changes everything - with Him I have purpose, empowerment, care and so much more.
I hate that knowing what to focus on is not crystal clear most of the time. I don't know about you, but for me getting direction from God is more like a sensing I have in my spirit. It often requires an Investment in stillness and listening and even then I feel like I have to "go" with what I think I am sensing. (Just being totally honest.)
In discerning what my focus should be I find I need to be:
- patient and not in a rush
- open to different priorities than I may have logically chosen
- pacing that is slower than I might like
- more dependent on God than I like to admit - for courage, provision, connection
- attentive to my emotions
- intentional with my connections
- committed to forward movement AND to adjusting as I go
I wish there was a fool-proof way to know God's will I could offer you, but I think He designed the whole way we humans navigate life for us to have to walk with Him and others intentionally. Here's a tool we use in Bridges Coach for assisting in the discernment process - the P's to knowing God's will that you may find helpful for the bigger choices in your life. (Maybe down lo
The Bridges Coaching ROAD starts with R - recognizing your next destination!
Join us in this series where we will take the next steps on the ROAD.
O- Ownership
A- Action Steps
D- Dedication