"But I do not consider my life of any account to be dear to myself, so that I may complete my race and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus." (Paul) – Acts 20:24

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work." (Jesus) – John 4:34

"In my observation, a leader needs to have some important philosophical beliefs and principles to measure the big things that are going to happen. Unless he has this personal philosophy and principles as his foundation, the unexpected storms will blow him around like a cork in the sea." (James Callaghan – former British Prime Minister)

A life vision statement or narrative can be a powerful tool to guide your life and give it direction and meaning. Such exercises can give three things:

• Writing this life vision will enable you to think deeply and envision your life. It will enable you to understand how God wants you to use your life, which is also your life calling. It allows you to broaden your perspective from what you are currently focusing on to your entire life, allows you to explore your deepest thoughts and feelings, and helps you figure out what is important in your life.
• Write this statement so that your values (or the values you should have) and your goals are deeply rooted in your mind. These values and these goals will become guidelines for making important decisions and will enable you to commit to the values you have chosen to live out.
• It connects your vision to your daily and weekly plans, which enables your personal vision to come alive in your daily life.

You can follow the steps below to write the first version of your "Life Vision Statement" and make it a document of inspiration, enlightenment and personal life direction. This may be the first time you write down what is going on deep inside you. "Speaking" and "writing" it out is a very important process, which will help you clarify your thoughts. Don't be in a hurry, take the time you need to slowly think about the following questions. Discuss what you have written with your mentors and your group members.

Step 1: Initial impression and idea

1. Do you have some inner desires in your heart? Have you ever experienced God giving you some visions? Has God placed some "burdens" on your heart? Write them down.
2. What is something that you would regret and lament if you died without completing it?
3. Does your church have a vision? Did that vision affect your life orientation?
4. Who has played a significant role in your life? Write about a person who has had a positive impact on your life (whether they know it or not).
Write down what you admire about this person:

Step 2: Define who you want to be

In the first step, you wrote down some rough impressions and ideas. Now you have to divide them into two categories. You do need to know what you are going to do in your life. But you need to know who you want to be. Life is lived from within. Without the inner qualities, you cannot accomplish the outward ministry. The power that arises in our lives always arises from our inner reality.
1. What I want to do (experience, achievement, ministry):
2. The person I want to be (character quality, temperament traits)

Step 3: Define the roles in your life

You have different roles in life. These roles are the parts of your life that you choose to carry out. You have a role at work, in your career, in your family, in your community, in your church, and in other areas of your life. These roles also give you a natural format that helps you define who you are becoming.
Write down your various roles. Please imagine that you are now at the end of your life, and it will be better to think back on your life and think about the role you had then and the role you have now. Examples of roles: son, husband, father, cell group leader, department store manager, owners corporation member, friend...etc.

Write your roles in the boxes below. Then write down the names of the people who most relate to those characters. Then imagine yourself at the end of your life, and write a short sentence describing how you would like this person to describe your thoughts and feelings in this role.

Step 4: Write a first draft of your life vision statement
(Personal Mission Statement)

Your role will help you think and see more clearly the qualities of character you want to acquire and develop. Write a first draft of your life manifesto now. You can carry this draft with you and your can take notes, adding or subtracting things at any time.

Step 5: Continuous Supplementation and Revision

Write this statement in your notebook or diary and refer to it often. Use it as a reference and standard for your decisions and actions, and revise it frequently. The following is a reference for a life statement

Tony Chan's life statement

My mission in life is to know Christ as the greatest treasure, to experience the power of His resurrection, to suffer with Him, and to live each day with a dying mind, so that the resurrected life of Christ will always be in me. (Philippians 3:8, 10-11)

In interpersonal relationships, I aim for love. My success as a person is not measured by how many people envy my achievements; rather, it is measured by how many people have become more self-respecting and confident because of me. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 13)

In terms of ministry, I want to build a church with global influence, combining small groups (pastoral care), theological training (seminary), and missions and social services (institutions) into one, which can provide a broad covering so that a large number of people with vision, loyalty, talent, and the ability to stand on their own can work together to make disciples of all nations locally and globally. My church will take the initiative to network with other like-minded churches to help and encourage each other to fulfill the Great Commission.

Important roles in achieving my life statement

1. Husband

My wife is the most important person in my life. I must maintain close communication with her, often affirm her, cherish her and develop her, and share the good and bad times together. Run straight toward the goal.

2. Father

I want to help my children live a happy and fulfilled life and make decisions based on Christian values in all matters of life.

3. Pastor

I do not consider my life of any account; nor do I regard it as precious or valuable, but only as a means of completing my race and the ministry which I received from the Lord through Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:24)

4. Citizen

Love China and Hong Kong, care about current affairs, be willing to fulfill civic responsibilities, and serve China and Hong Kong in your current position.

5. Neighbor

I will be a neighborly person and try to lend a helping hand.

6. Teachable person

I always keep a teachable heart, and seek new knowledge and excellence every day through observation, interacting with people, reading, and research.

7. Inspiring person

Bring joy and hope to people, let them see their beauty from my eyes; hear their loveliness from my voice; because of my attitude towards them, they can gain self-esteem and confidence.

My Personal Vision