You see it everyday. We are a goal-oriented culture. Our kids have goals for school. We have career goals, travel goals, weight loss goals, relationship goals, life-long goals. Goals enable us to live life intentionally; they help us to determine priorities like how we should spend our time, our energy and our money.
I find myself getting restless without a goal but, being a homeschooling mom, often my goals must take a backseat to the goals of my family. And sometimes this has felt like sitting on the sidelines, while life is passing me by.
I left behind my education and my career to change diapers, wash dishes, and do countless loads of laundry. There are still days when I feel that loss, but I know I have taken the right road for me; it is the the humble path for sure, and I am in good company:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Phil 2:3-7).
This week I got to thinking about our goals vs. God’s goals. I think sometimes they line up and sometimes they don’t. Here are just a few examples:
- God doesn’t care about the 7 pounds I would love to lose, but He does want me to live a life of moderation, rather than gluttony, and to be a good steward of my health.
- I used to keep my home “realtor ready”, as perfectly tidy as you can imagine, but it was a great stressor to me and my family. I had been affected by a nasty remark someone made to me, when my husband was deployed, because I had crumbs on my kitchen counter. I have learned, instead, that while God does want me to be diligent with my time and serve my family by keeping my home comfortable and clean, my priority must be relationship with Him and others.
- I want my children to do well in school, especially since I am their teacher. We want our kids to find “success” in their chosen field as adults. But God showed me early in the process that my biggest goal for them should be that they know Him, love Him, and follow Him.
When I have found myself feeling like life and career have passed me by, I remember that my goals are sometimes just too small. God’s way for me does look unimpressive from the outside, but He is intentional and His goals are eternal. My life is part of something so much bigger than me.
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.” (1 Peter 1:22-25).
Remembering that God sets my pace and my course brings me peace. Feeling that I am in the center of His will is #ASimplerJoy.
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