Spiritual Targets: Growing in Christ

Remember the games where we tried to place a game piece on a target after we had been blindfolded and spun around a few times? We knew what we wanted to achieve, and we knew what the target looked like. We were also very willing to do our best, but the fact remains that we have difficulty hitting a target we cannot see. It's even more difficult to hit a target we do not have!

As Christians, each of us has the goal of becoming more Christ-like, as is stated in Philippians 3:12-14. "Not that I have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." We know that our ultimate goal is, but how do we get there? Do we have a plan of action toward spiritual growth?

As Zig Ziglar, a Christian, motivational speaker says, most people spend more time planning their vacations than they spend planning their career, and most people spend more time planning their wedding than they spend cultivating a successful marriage! How much time do we spend setting goals and taking plans of action in our Christian lives? Perhaps if we aren't growing much, it's because we have no specific, measurable goals.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 that the Christian life compares to a race, and if we want to cross the finish line victoriously, we must do more than just put forth effort. We must "run in such a way, as not without aim."

Man's Plans and God's Purposes

"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives. Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.... When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.... The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Prov. 16:1-4, 7, & 9.

What do these verses tell us about mans plans and God's purposes? First, we see that they differ. Isaiah 55:8 & 9 says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than our ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." What might seem like an innocent, good idea to us can actually fall short of God's purpose. God also weighs our motives.

Verse 3 admonishes us to commit our works to the Lord so that our plans will be established. This assumes that we have considered our objectives and sought God's will concerning our goals and plans. It's difficult to hit a target we cannot see, but it's impossible to hit a target we do not have! In order to accomplish God's work, we must have goals, but they must be GOD's goals.

In Revelation, the letters to the churches commend them for their love, faith, perseverance, and reputation, but the Lord points out that they are not accomplishing His will. Are we going through the motions as we teach? worship? listen? serve? Do we have God-centered, measurable goals for our classes, groups, ministries, and lives?

What are we accomplishing? What is God accomplishing through us? What is God's purpose for me? for each of us?

The Road Ahead

With every step that I take forward

I find fifteen more to go,
and when I'm confident in the goal I'm moving toward,
I discover so much more I need to know.
But I can't help getting excited
about the lengthy road I see;
I'm so much more than just delighted,
because God mapped it out just for me.
And even though distant mountains
are my horizon line,
the way passes by flowing fountains
and joys like dandelions.
The hills are steep and the pathway cluttered
with illusions that get in my way,
but God knows of each prayer I've uttered;
He hears me when I pray.
And I know He answers, and I feel Him guide me
as long as I'm staying on this path,
and when I've strayed, He has been beside me--
I have known God's wrath!
I've been guilty of looking back,
and at times I've stumbled and fallen,
but the Lord returns me to the right track
when on His name I'm calling.
You see, God knows my destination;
He knows the curves before me.
He understands my every frustration--
He promises never to ignore me.
I look forward to the travel--
I have no reason to dread,
For God is my companion
as I walk the road ahead.