Careful Thought To Our Ways

The motivational speakers of our day want us to set great goals for
our life: "Where do you want to be in two, five, or ten years? What
type of lifestyle do you want when you retire?" We are encouraged to
set goals slightly beyond our reach, and then instructed how to
create a plan to accomplish these goals. The implication is that a
more focused effort will yield superior results and lead to greater "success."

But before we can ask where we want to be in the next few years, we
must first ask a longer term question: "Where will I be in one
hundred years?" No other goal is worth pursuing until we have a
solid answer to this most basic (but all-important) question. What
difference does it make which college we attend, which job we take,
or what our home looks like if we have failed to address the issue of
where we will spend eternity!?

Proverbs 14:8
"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the
folly of fools is deception."

We must be wise with the days we are given and no longer be deceived
by the values of the world's system. There's nothing inherently
wrong with goals and plans; but far too often, they lead to a
self-determined lifestyle and away from the true Director of ALL
plans; "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines
his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Our planning must be as a direct
response to God's leading; and once in place, our plans must remain
in complete submission to His will; "I know, O Lord, that a man's
life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps" (Jeremiah
10:23). When our goal is to be in the center of His will, the
specifics of where we will be and what we will be doing are really
none of our business.

Every moment of our life is a precious gift from God. Even though
the average life span continues to increase, our time is extremely
short. An average life lasts about 45,000,000 minutes (much less in
many countries). This may seem like a lot, but by this time tomorrow
1440 minutes will be forever gone; "You are a mist that appears for a
little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

We must not waste our limited time by chasing after things which
vanish; "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as
wise, making the most of every opportunity" (Ephesians 5:15-16). We
must evaluate ALL our decisions and goals based on the overriding
desire to glorify God in all we do, to rejoice in His many blessings,
and to long for the time when we can worship before His throne for
all eternity. Any other set of values must fade to nothing in comparison.

Every day we are handed a block of time and given the freedom of how
it will be spent. This is a wonderful opportunity, but the clock
continues to tick! Let's honor our Heavenly Father with our goals
and plans and give careful thought to our ways.

Have a Great Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

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Scripture references: The Holy Bible: New International Version.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

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Lorena, TX 76655
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