As I humbly but confidently follow Jesus…He shows up and shows out in my life…in magnificent ways. Often times I am in odd places, like driving or working out, when HE places things on my heart to write about. It is always a part of my mission to provide encouragement to readers of the Back 9 (that is a part of my life mission statement). With that in mind, I have to start by saying we have infinite value to God. Everyone has the SAME price tag!
We are all significant and He created each and everyone of us with a unique plan and purpose (see Ephesians 2:10). No matter where we find ourselves in life or how far away we may be from God at the current moment, the road to Him is very short and simple. It is a decisive decision to turn to Him. Saying a simple prayer to Him. Repenting and confessing our sin. Being willing to follow Him instead of running ahead with our own agenda. A surrendering of our will to His. IT is a choice!
So often we allow the world to tell us our value…we have to win, make lots of money, have many followers on Instagram (social media) in order to be highly valued. We gorge on what society tells us our intrinsic value is based on–what we achieve or don’t achieve.
I have written about goals before. I do believe in setting goals but it is more about setting goals for things you can directly control, for maximizing and fulfilling your created purpose. The following are things you can control:
-how you think
-self talk
-the 24 hours you have in a day (how you spend your time)
-perspective
-attitude
-focus
-listening
-learning
-gratefulness
-what you visualize
-how you communicate (tone, frequency, body language)
-how hard you work
-what you read
-what you watch
-who you listen to
-when you go to bed and when you get up
-what you eat
-what you drink.
When you choose to set goals in the areas where you have complete control, with God as the Lord of your life, you will find you will MOVE forward and there can be significant progress. Very often when you make important decisions in the areas that you can control, the things that follow are: progress, peace, confidence, a sense of worth, an overall “freshness to life,” a vitality and a sense of accomplishment.
When you try to set goals for outcomes…that are outside of your control…the pressure multiplies…and misery can skyrocket.
Only God controls the future and outcomes. He did give us FREE will to make choices on how we will choose to live our life and who we will allow to lead us. He never forces us to follow and surrender to Him…but that is what we were created to do. In choosing to surrender to Him, He has given us His word to guide us. Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path.”
If you study God’s word, you realize you “give up control to gain control!” Yes, you give God complete access to your life. I encourage you today to take the time to ask God to help you create a “mission statement” for your life. One that would honor Him with the gifts He has given you.
For example, if you are in residential real estate sales, instead of your sales numbers, look at and focus on the opportunity you have each and every day to impact someone’s life by helping them find the best home that would greatly benefit their lives. From comfort, to safety, to price range, to location. What would most benefit them? Or, if you are a coach, instead of focusing on the win/loss, look at the opportunity of influencing, building and leading young people. A chance to truly influence an impressionable life. Or maybe you are a student, instead of your grade on a test, focus on learning as much as you can learn about the subject. Work on focusing and attentive listening. Those are things over which you have complete control.
I have heard so many times…especially with our three kids playing golf…don’t focus on the outcome, your score. Focus on the process….meaning…you can control how hard you work, how you think, how you prepare and plan…but you cannot control the outcome. By focusing on the things within your power to control, the RESULTS eventually take care of themselves.
God’s desire for us is to live our lives focusing on and living to fulfill our created purpose. Seeking Him and allowing Him to show us. HE will not disappoint. After allowing Him to direct us, then it is our job to do the things we can control. Trusting HIM to will and act in and through us for His purpose. Philippians 2:13, “For it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
I encourage you to meditate on the following verses.
James 5:6, “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Psalm 128:1-2, “Blessed are all those who fear the Lord, who walk in OBEDIENCE to him, you will eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours,” [emphasis mine].
Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. In ALL YOUR WAYS acknowledge Him and HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT,” [emphasis mine].
He has a significant path for everyone. Do you have a mission statement for your life? A compelling mission statement is much more usable and valuable than settings goals. Becoming a world changer is more powerful than become a world beater. Goals are about achieving. Mission is about who you become which is the single most IMPORTANT thing to your Creator–to become more like Jesus. That is when YOUR LIFE BECOMES THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND MEANINGFUL.