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patience becomes a required virtue for the journey. You must be willing to wait for Gods timing. Allow God the necessary time to work behind the scenes instead of trying to kick down the door of opportunity. When the door finally swings open Nehemiah is ready with a threefold petition. Listen carefully to his specific requests. It sounds like Nehemiah has been carefully prepar- ing his speech while he waited for this God-orchestrated access to the king. First he asks permission. Ne- hemiah cannot make a move without the permission of King Artaxerxes. But when the opportunity arises Nehemiah is ready with his request. Have you carefully and intentionally identified who your key people are The list may include parents or a spouse a pastor or a ministry leader. It could include a board of directors or a group of potential donors. The wisdom of Nehemiah is clear Dont run ahead without the permis- sion of key people. Very often God will use key people as a caution light. Their purpose might not be to stop your life mission but as a proceed- with-caution warning to make sure you are in step with Gods timing. Second Nehemiah asks for provi- sion. He doesnt have access to the construction materials hell need to build the wall but the king does. When it comes to fulfilling your life purpose God has a marvelous and mysterious way of providing needed resources along the way. You might be shocked and sur- prised at the people God will use to help you fulfill your mission. Chances are remote that you will have all the required resources at the beginning of the journey. God loves to surprise his people along the way with unexpected provisions from unexpected people. Some of the most faith-building expe- riences in your life mission adventure will be when God surprises you with provisions. So dont be afraid to ask. Third Nehemiah asks for protec- tion. He faces a dangerous journey and the certainty of opposition once he arrives. Not everyone will be cheering for your success the challenge is to understand the reality of opposition and expect its arrival. This allows you to seek Gods divine protection from the beginning. Remember God is in the overcoming business so you can trust Him to provide protection for the journey. Preparing for your life purpose is much like a con- tractor preparing a set of blueprints for a building. A contractor would never begin constructing a building without first having a thorough set of blue- prints. There will come a day when the saws and hammers come out of the tool chests. But not until adequate preparations are complete. The same is true for your life mis- sion. The preparation phase is crucial for the successful construction of a sound life purpose. But here is where some people make a critical mistake. They dont take the necessary time to prepare. Not so with Nehemiah. While he prays he begins to prepare. Have you started to prepare for your life purpose It helps to start writing down your thoughts and ideas. Go back over Nehemiahs preparations and see where he can instruct and inspire you. Spending time with a close friend or finding a qualified life coach can be a valuable investment in this process. Whatever your life purpose is you need to catch Gods vision. Decide to care commit to prayer and begin to prepare. It worked for Nehemiah it is working for me and it will work for you. Catch Gods vision and you will be on your way to living your dash. 40 WWW.AGRM.ORG MARCHAPRIL 2016 Whatever your life purpose is you need to catch Gods vision. Decide to care commit to prayer and begin to prepare.