Goals or Results?

I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever. Psalm 86:12 (New American Standard Bible)

According to Webster’s dictionary, a goal is the end to which an effort is directed. We set goals in order to acquire something that we desire. Often though, our goals are limited and temporary. Once we have the result, we can begin to flounder. I am coming to realize that it is essential to have goals that go beyond a certain result we are looking for. Let me give a few examples.

The goal to lose weight should instead be the goal to live a healthy lifestyle which will result in lost weight and obtained health. The goal to get out of debt should instead be the goal to become a good steward of that which has been entrusted to me which will result in financial freedom. The goal to be free of an addiction should instead be the goal to honor God with my body and mind which will result in the breaking of the hold something has on me. The goal to have friends should instead be the goal of being a friend to others which will result in having friends. Goals need to go beyond getting or getting rid of something.

The Bible is abundant with goals. Today’s verse gives two….to have a thankful heart and to glorify God’s name. Others that come to mind are: to be God’s friend, to know Christ, to walk in obedience, to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, to acknowledge God in everything, to trust Him, to seek Him diligently, to rejoice in all things, and to pray about everything. If these are my goals, the results will come but they will not simply be an end in themselves.

The freedoms and victory I seek will be the result of having goals that are aligned with Scripture and directed toward God. It is not enough to only want the pain to stop, the loneliness to leave, the approval to come, or the emptiness to be filled. Those are merely the sparkles from the diamonds that exist in the mine of being in relationship with God and making loving and knowing Him my goal.

Father, I have been limited in my goal setting. You have wanted much more for me. Be the One I am fixated on and glorify Yourself. I praise You for what will be the result. I seek You. Amen.

I Exalt Thee - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arPrM8RCiyo

Fixing my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith!