The Life Map Model

The Life Map is not a how and what to do model on how to do life, but more like a outline of the process God takes people through to grow, mature and lead them. The terms or labels given for it are not important, the process in any terms or labels are. As you read through the outline of the Life Map Model see where you identify yourself in being on it. 

The purpose of the Life Map Model is to serve as a reminder for why we are called to love God with all our Heart, Mind and Soul/Strength and to help us do it. It is then we are awakened to what God has for us, wants to do in and and plans to do through us.

Phase 1 - Restoration of Heart

All of mankind starts here. 

All believers enter this phase, but few go deeper in it.

What it looks like: God draws us to Himself. The Holy Spirit starts to work in our heart. God uses people, circumstances and events to get our attention with the purpose to draw us to Him. We then by the prompting of the Holy Spirit must choose to respond and come to Him through placing our faith in Jesus Christ to bridge the gap from us to Him because of our sin. If we respond and give our life to Jesus Christ, we are born again. As such, salvation is still part of this phase of the Life Map Model. We are given a new heart and God begins to work in our heart though the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in us. This is the initial part and the start of the process of sanctification.

Going deeper in it: When we have been walking with Jesus for a while (or a short while for some) he starts a work in us through the Holy Spirit for the restoration of the deep places of the heart and soul. We have been forgiven and given eternal life having come to faith in Christ and given salvation - that is done. Yet, as we grow and follow Christ and live a surrendered life, Jesus begins a work of healing wounds and things in our hearts as we allow Him - He doesn't force us to be healed - we have to want it. While it would seem crazy we would not want to be healed, that of which needs healing, comes from a wound, and wounds are often linked to fears and or insecurities from the past. As we enter into and walk with Christ through this process, we in time begin to experience freedom from habitual sin and the ability to find freedom. We also begin to find the ability to forgive others more than we may have been able to initially do when we came to faith in Christ.

Phase 2 - Renewal of the Mind.

How we think changes.

His ways become ours (Biblical / Eternal / Kingdom)

What it looks like: Our heart starts to change when we come to faith, we were made new in Christ, given a new mind, the way we think starts to change. Our desires start to change. The heart and mind change together. Those who are more scientific or are living more from the mind, than the heart, those who may identify themselves as being intellectuals may start in the deeper work of the renewal of the mind before phase deeper growth in the regeneration of the heart.

Going deeper in it: The way we used to think has changed, but God wants to completely renew our mind as we become more Christ like. We learn to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ as the word tells us. A biblical worldview solidifies and courage and faith grow from the renewed mind and an expansion of truth in our life. Realization and application of our spiritual gifts begin to flourish with the renewal of the mind. As we grow in this a Kingdom perspective effects nearly everything we do and think about on a bigger scale and in seeing the bigger picture. All visionary people in Christendom in going deeper in this process find their faith and vision grow in ways they were not previously able to consider being possible for them. 

Phase 3 - Awakening and or Empowerment of Calling

Moving from the general to the specific.

Knowing and Living our purpose, calling and vision. 

What it looks like: As our heart and mind have been changed, our general direction(s) start to change in life. Our life goals often start to change, and our motives for them always change. We once lived not for God, but now we start to live for God and our direction in life starts to change. This happens after a work in the heart and mind have taken place. It starts general and becomes more specific, targeted and revealed as we grow and walk though the Life Map model.

Going deeper in it: As we seek to go deeper in this - things will get harder. This is the hardest part of the Life Map model, the most opposed and we often will experience a loss of peer support as few travel here because it is not easy and requires God to show up. Nothing can prepare the believer for this phase and the challenges that will come. The best way to prepare for it, is to surround yourself with others in this phase as much as possible. You must be walking in intimate fellowship with God in this part of the Life Map Model and be in the deeper parts of the heart and mind before entering into this part of the Life Map. David had a heart in love with God and had a mind sharpened for using a sling shot to fend of lions from his sheep and knew in heart and mind God was with him and would protect him. So must we have a heart and mind ready for this part of the Life Map model, we won't know what lies here until we get here, but God won't take us here until we have the heart and mind that is ready to venture in and through it.

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