Building a Life of Intention, Integrity, and Impact
Opening Question:
"Have you ever worked hard… only to realize you were climbing the wrong ladder?"
You can be busy and still be wrong. You can be disciplined and still be misdirected. Success without intention leads to frustration.
Core Truth:
If you don't plan to be successful, you'll live a life of default.
Today we're going to walk through five decisions that determine whether you build a life that works, or one that wears you out.
POINT 1: DON'T LEAN YOUR LADDER AGAINST THE WRONG WALL
Key Thought:
Effort without alignment leads to exhaustion.
You can climb fast… You can climb high… But if the wall is wrong, the success won't matter.
Scripture
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) "Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."
Psalm 37:4-5 (NLT) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Psalm 127:1 (NLT) Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.
Teaching:
- Many people are working hard at goals God never assigned
- Vision determines direction
- Direction determines destination
Success doesn't start with activity, it starts with alignment.
Application Questions:
- What am I building?
- Who am I trying to impress?
- Is this God's wall, or mine?
Transition: Once your ladder is on the right wall, the next issue is ownership.
POINT 2: NO ONE NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR YOU TO WIN
Key Thought:
Waiting on others is the fastest way to delay your destiny.
Some people say:
- "If my boss would change…"
- "If my spouse would change…"
- "If my team would change…"
But growth begins with me.
Scripture
Galatians 6:4-5 (AMP) But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own burden [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].
Teaching:
- STOP outsourcing responsibility
- FIND people who support your vision
- If they don't, move on respectfully
- I change.
- I do the work.
- I grow anyway.
Leadership Truth:
You don't need permission to improve.
Transition: But personal growth requires wisdom, and wisdom means avoiding unnecessary pain.
POINT 3: PLAY STUPID GAMES, WIN STUPID PRIZES
Key Thought:
Shortcuts today create suffering tomorrow.
Every bad decision promises:
- Speed
- Ease
- Convenience
But wisdom asks: "What will this cost me later?"
Scripture
Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) Walk with the wisdom and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Psalm 1:1 (NIV) Blessed is the one who does not walk in the step with the wicked, or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT) Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?
Proverbs 27:17 (AMP) As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].
Teaching:
- Who you listen to matters
- Who you run with matters
- Integrity is expensive, but regret costs more
Shortcuts in:
- Relationships
- Finances
- Business
- Character
…always collect interest later.
Application:
Choose wisdom over speed.
Transition: Wisdom also requires courage, especially in conversation.
POINT 4: AVOID DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, CREATE A DIFFICULT LIFE
Key Thought:
Unspoken issues don't disappear, they multiply.
What you avoid today will confront you tomorrow, louder.
Scripture
Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
Teaching:
- Healthy relationships require honest conversations
- Success often comes after uncomfortable moments
- Silence is not peace, it's delay
Leadership Insight:
You don't need to be harsh, just honest.
Growth lives on the other side of courage.
Transition: And finally, don't forget to enjoy the journey.
POINT 5: STOP BEING SO SERIOUS
Key Thought:
You can be successful and still have fun.
Some people think holiness means misery. But God never called us to joyless success.
Scripture
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NLT) So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
Teaching:
- Laughter is not a lack of discipline
- Joy is fuel for longevity
- Celebrate progress, not just results
Reminder:
If success costs your peace, it's too expensive.
Final Questions:
- Is my ladder on the right wall?
- Am I owning my growth?
- Am I choosing wisdom?
- Am I having courageous conversations?
- Am I enjoying the life God gave me?
Success isn't accidental. It's intentional. It's aligned. And it's supposed to be joyful.
"Today, I commit my work to the Lord, and I choose to build wisely."