I understand that it is very easy to be discouraged right now.
Your schedule is a major test of faith and resolve. You will often be disappointed at how other people respond to your sense of urgency. I can imagine that you are discouraged about the lack of interest in your project. You thought this was a great idea and you are disappointed at the progress to this point.
With that said, up to this point your work (and that of others involved) has been the “easier” part. Planning, envisioning, considering options, and securing possibilities are all hard work, but they are less difficult than leading people to take action toward an unknown future.
Now the tough work of bringing the vision to reality begins.
There will be times of confusion, overwhelm, discouragement, and frustration. You are doing a work that is WORTH something, so it will be challenging. You will all be tested. Much of the time you will feel like you are out on a limb with no one on the limb with you other than God.
However, there will also be tremendous breakthroughs, moments of divine encouragement, and you will see things that few have seen. You will go places that few have been.
I say all this to encourage you and remind you of the following:
- You and your team are highly capable and equipped because God has brought you together and will make it so.
- You may need others involved and they will come at the right time.
- There will never be a “good” time to do this. The time is now!
- There is no waiting until people’s busy lives slow down. They never will.
- You most certainly are doing more than your part! That’s what it means to lead well with the responsibilities you have before you!
- When you get discouraged remember that perfection is not expected of you, nor a requirement of God fulfilling His plan for you and your family and your people.
- “What if?” questions are the wrong questions to ask. In God’s perfect design, we simply cannot face the what-ifs until they become the reality of the day. You will deal with the end of this journey at the end. Not one day before.
- Each person involved certainly has many things they are involved in and could be involved in, aside from the vision. But, at this time your focus must be singular: helping people make decisions in response to what might be possible.
If this is truly “important” there is nothing else going on that is more pressing in this season.
The right questions will lead you to take the right practical steps:
- What is our goal?
- Who are the people that most need to be in the position to make the most difference?
- Who is willing to meet with us?
- How many people can we meet with?
- Who is doing the work to fill every hour we have committed to be available for meetings?
- When someone isn’t available to meet face to face, who can schedule a time to meet over the phone?
- Do people understand really understand that we are doing something impossible but remarkable?
- Are we positioning people to prayerfully and thoughtfully make decisions and take action?
- Are we helping people ask the right questions as they consider the future?
- What is most important right now?
- What is next?