Strategic planning, mission statements, career paths, growth goals, financial projections, blueprints and vision casting, ministry maps, all of these are important steps to accomplishing a task, but none of these actually accomplish anything. I love taking the time to plan and strategize, but too often leaders (especially in the church), make the mistake of confusing activity with actions. Plans are great, but they are only ideas unless they are executed. Execution is what distinguishes the doer from the dreamer, the achiever from the philosopher.

The Bible word for execution is “obedience”. Yes, I know it’s not popular to talk about these days, but it doesn’t change the truth of Scripture. Check out 1 John 5:2 (ESV)

“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.”

Love is a verb and so is obedience. So, what are you doing today? How are you executing (obeying) the plan (directions) God has given to you. Maybe it’s time we started putting as much focus on our execution (obedience, doing) as our planning (dreaming, strategizing).