Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:16, Amplified Bible (AMP)

If you were to create a company, club, or organization of some kind, you’d undoubtedly craft one or more written documents to govern the organization. Not only is it required if you are creating an organization that will be recognized by governmental authorities, it is wise to do so in order to prevent total chaos from destroying the organization. Written documents, like constitutions and by-laws, provide a framework of operations that provide order and stability. As long as the people in the organization follow the prescribed methods of operation, then the chances of the organization being successful are much, much greater than if there was no governing document(s) at all.

Sadly, very few people apply this same wisdom to their personal lives. With no written plan for governing their long-term behavior, they wander aimlessly in pursuit of provision, security, and pleasure, with little thought for much else. Then, at the end of their lives, they wonder, “What in the world did I accomplish that was worth anything?”, and they go to their graves disappointed that their lives were spent in unworthy pursuits.

Some years ago I was introduced to the concept of the “personal constitution.” The idea was to write down the principles that would govern how I would spend the time the Lord has given me. Nearly fifteen years ago, this is what I wrote:

1. I will live a life that honors God.
2. I will be a dedicated husband, father, and friend.
3. I will be an informed and involved citizen.
4. I will lead a healthy lifestyle.
5. I will be a good steward of the resources that God entrusts me with.

Since penning these words, I have striven to spend my time in concert with these principles. Although I have fallen short (and will continue to fall short) in all of these areas, the exercise of writing my personal constitution has given me a framework of decision making that has governed my life in accordance with – I hope and I trust – the Lord’s will for my life.

If you have have never written your personal constitution, I highly recommend that you do so today. Regarding goal-setting, it has often been said that if you aim at nothing, you’ll be sure to hit it every time. The same is true with life planning, and if you don’t identify the principles that will govern your life, you run the risk of wandering aimlessly until it is too late to do anything about it.

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