Day 118 - Goals

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 37

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

All of us know about “goals.”  And, actually, goals are not a bad thing.  The old adage, “If you don’t aim at something, you never will hit it,” stands true still to this day.  Focus helps us “aim” and reach our goals.  The question is: What is a good goal?  Or, what should I be aiming for?  Michael shows us what God’s goal for us is.

DAY 118

Goals

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. --I Timothy 1:5

I have often thought how odd it is that at a relatively young age we are expected to discover something to do for the rest of our lives. I can remember being asked, “What are you going to do with your life?” Life has a diminishing quantity, and being responsible for doing something wisely with it can be overwhelming. In some countries the decision is not nearly so vexing, where caste and economy determine what one will “do with his life.” Nevertheless, everyone must determine how to spend his time on earth.

Imagine the goal of life as being the hub of a wheel, with life’s activities being the spokes that support it. The hub should always be faith in God. We exist to grow in faith, a goal worthy of our lives. We can look at every situation as to how it affects faith and belief. Giving our life to faith is satisfying, because faith is fulfilling and nourishing. In order for life to have a purpose, it must be given to something greater than itself. Faith gives life a purpose. 

Dissatisfaction arises when something that should be a spoke, a support for the goal of life, moves in to replace the hub. At this point one will always feel depleted. For instance, having children builds faith, just as not having children builds faith. Raising a child in today’s world will keep one constantly trusting in Jesus; not having a child, when man is created to procreate, will also keep one’s eyes focused on Jesus. In these two cases, the spoke leading to the center is different, but what it leads to, faith, is constant.

However, when a child that one has, or the child one wishes he had, becomes the goal of life, faith is not built and life loses its meaning. The same is true of having or not having marriage, health, money, vocation, ministry, or security. Though spokes differ widely, life can be enjoyed as long as faith in the Lord is the goal and life’s pursuits teach and lead to faith. Look around and view all of the spokes, but the hub in which one stands is not visible. Relax in what is not seen: our God. Faith is the hub, and we have a God.

Two things stand out immediately to me in Michael’s writing:  (1) Life, for a Christian, is all about faith in God.  (2) How easy it is to let something become the “hub” of our life when it is nothing more than a “spoke.”

I heard someone teaching on parenting say one time that many are led to believe that they start a family when they have their first child.  But quickly the teacher said, “that is not truth.”  When two get married, in God’s eyes, they have started their family.  Children are an addition to the family, not the beginning of a family.  Is it any wonder even Christians are as quick to divorce when something goes wrong with the kids, the kids become too much, or one even says, “I didn’t want kids in the first place.”  The spoke took the place of the hub.

Everyday life is difficult enough…we need biblical faith to live life as a Christian.  It makes a difference when facing life’s trials and tragedies.  Faith begins when we believe.  And God’s Word says it comes from our believing His Word.  Actually we can’t even believe in Him without His Word. (Romans 10) 

Paul had 3 goals in his biblical teaching: (1) love from a pure heart, (2) a good conscience, and (3) a sincere faith.  Sounds like faith, hope, and love. 

As Michael points out, faith is fulfilling and nourishing and gives life a purpose (hope).  Love covers all the ins and outs, ups and downs, overs and unders of life.  Faith comes from believing God IS, and God is in control of all the above.  No wonder Christians live with so much HOPE!

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                    936-559-5696