My oh my. Does this passage resonate with you like it does me?
We are all in our own season of life, and we have experiences that have brought us to this moment. No matter where you are in life, you should always have a goal. What is your goal?
I’m just coming off an intensive 3-day seminar for my home business, and one of our sessions talked about setting our dreams and goals. Personally, I have always tried to help others reach their goals without much thought of my own. The exercise awakened in me the importance of my own goals and how important it is to dream big. When we think with our future brains, we can accomplish so much more.
I especially liked Paul’s words here, reminding us that we need to forget the past and look ahead, “press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” There is no greater goal than this, don’t you agree? The day we meet Jesus face to face will be the ultimate. But are we ready? What if this happened tomorrow? Has our life mattered so far? What more do we want to accomplish before we “meet our Maker?”
Paul cautions us here about materialism, and I see this so rampant in our society today. It seems we are never happy with what we have. We are always wanting more of this or that to fulfill our need. When you think of what is on your dream board, what do you see? Are there material things or experiences to make memories? Maybe it’s an achievement or recognition? Or are your dreaming of a way of life to honor God?
I love how Paul concludes this section. We need to ground ourselves and be confident in our identity. Paul writes,”[b]ut we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”
Our destiny is not here on earth. The things we aspire to on earth will pass away. We are living today for our tomorrow in heaven with Jesus. We will have bodies way better than we could ever imagine that will last for eternity. Let me ask again. What exactly is your goal? Is it big enough? Are you including God in your future?
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father you are mighty beyond all description. You have given me this beautiful life to live. May I be respectful of all that you have given me. May I live a life that is full of gratitude and praise. I look around and see heartache, confusion and greed. Help me to avoid those tendencies. You have brought me to this place, and I thank you for the progress I see in my life. I am so much closer to you than I was, and I yearn to grow closer every day. I eagerly await your return, yet I pray for those loved ones of mine who are not following you. I pray your grace will fall on them so that they will feel the time is right to fully trust you. Thank you for all of the blessings you bestow. You are an amazing God! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
