SCRIPTURE: “Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.” (I Corinthians 9:26 KJV)
QUOTE: “If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hope.” – Andrew Carnegie
NOTE:
Any route is good enough for anyone going nowhere in particular. The easiest journey in this whole wide world is the journey to just anywhere. That is a fair definition of the rat race. It is almost certain to me that you wouldn’t have chosen to run this year in that manner. That is not the nature of our God. That was not the pattern of great leaders like Paul. Even in our contemporary times, “what will be will be” is a statement of sub optimal achievers. Before Jesus came to the earth for the redemption agenda, the ‘win’ was certain, the cost was clear and so the details of how it would all play out. Your name is neither anybody nor everybody. You cannot do what anybody or everybody is doing.
Excuse me, where are you going and more importantly, why are you going there? What are your Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-framed and Stretching (SMARTS) goals for your walk with the Lord, your marriage/family, personal development, career, business, finance, health, ministry, social impact etc. With clear goals, you can distinguish between mere activities and productivity. You can channel your time, energy and resources on your most rewarding tasks, especially those that will push you forward in the direction of your set goals. You will face your own journey with utmost focus; thus, you are shielded from aimless comparison, envy, jealousy and other negative attitudes. You lead your team on the path of fulfillment as you have satisfying bases to evaluate your efforts. This year, you will not run the rat race neither will you lead rats.
ILLUSTRATION:
When Thomas Edison tried for about two thousand times and failed in search of a filament for the light bulb, he could not stop trying. His goal was very clear to him; it was so real and tangible even before it materialized physically to all. SMARTS goals are energizers and motivators.
REFLECTION:
One of the best ways to accomplish your goals is to make yourself accountable to someone you trust. Can you write out few specific goals and share with a friend for accountability and progress review?
TWO YEAR BIBLE READING: Leviticus 11 – 12, Psalm 64