John 17:4 I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.
Dear friends,
This statement by Jesus is an amazing declaration. He accomplished all that God had given Him to do: the miracles, the teachings, the relationships, the cross, the resurrection, the ascension. I am sure during the temptations by Satan He had the future, God’s plan, in the back of His mind. He quotes pertinent scripture to deal with Satan’s schemes.
Where is your life headed? What are your goals? What is your spiritual plan for how God wants to use you this year, next year, and the next five to ten years? Some of us feel like all we can do at present is survive. That may be true. But, the old adage “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time” is equally as true.
Years ago, I read an article in Forbes Magazine. It was a study that was conducted concerning the 1979 Harvard MBA program:
Graduate students were asked “have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?” The result, only 3% had written goals and plans, 13% had goals but they weren’t in writing and 84% had no goals at all. Ten years later, the same group was interviewed again and the result was absolutely mind-blowing. The 13% of the class who had goals, but did not write them down was earning twice the amount of the 84% who had no goals. The 3% who had written goals were earning, on average, ten times as much as the other 97% of the class combined!
Paul set out to reach the Gentile world with the gospel. He was commissioned by Christ to do so. His plan was to go to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). At the end of his life, he could say, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (I Timothy 4:7)
We don’t know all that God wants to do through us. However, we know if we don’t live intentionally, we will never achieve all that God intends to do for us and through us in the power of His Holy Spirit.
Every day we encounter people who need our wisdom, touch, encouragement, or maybe even our exhortation. God has placed us here for a reason. We are alive today because that purpose is incomplete.
Don’t you want to maximize your life for Christ? I certainly do. That doesn’t mean we don’t rest, we don’t relax, or we don’t take time for ourselves, for family, and for fun. It does mean that God has given us unique experiences, passions, opportunities, and relationships with people.
These next forty-five days, we have many opportunities to show the love of Christ to others, be challenged and encouraged, make plans for unexpected events, and serve our community. Please pray we will be faithful to follow God’s plan and prompting.
I am so grateful for your intentionality to be involved in YBL Ministries by your participation, prayers, and giving. Let’s seek God’s face for direction and power for the days, months, and years to come. Aim at something, write it down, and make a plan. As I have said many times, “Let’s Finish Well,” and help others to cross that finish line for His glory!