We Are Going to Heaven

Goal #1: We Are Going to Heaven

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.
Steven Covey

As I started to consider what my goals needed to be, the critical factor was to keep the main things firmly in view. My first goal was easily identified because God had already identified it for me. No, I didn't receive some weird vision, for this goal was clearly stated in the Bible: The goal of our faith is the salvation of our souls. We can argue the point if we want, but it doesn't change for a moment the fact that God has already decided the matter. So, this is how I tried to put this goal in a way that I could keep this truth fully in view:

Goal #1: I am going to Heaven and I am taking my loved ones with me . God has made the arrangements and has invited me to Heaven. Christ has paid my debt in order for me to be with Him forever. I am determined that I will not fail Them and that not one of my descendents will be lost.

Pretty ambitious, isn't it! It is critical for you to understand my perspective on this goal and the reason for stating it in this way. I am not presuming that I deserve Heaven or that I can get any of my family there by my own power. Rather, I am stating my firm plans to take the responsibility that God has given me, as well as the privilege, and am affirming my intent to do everything in my power to accept God's invitation and to honor the sacrifice that Christ made.

Look at it this way: Say that 3% of a group of people want to go to Hawaii and have that goal in writing. They have saved their money, they have bought their tickets, they have arranged their vacation time. Another 10% have not written it down, but have made firm plans to go as well. Another 60% have a general idea that they would like to go to Hawaii some day, but have made no specific plans.  The rest have no plans whatsoever and couldn't find Hawaii on a map if their lives depended on it. Who do you think is most likely to go to Hawaii?

Is your goal truly to go to Heaven? Is it foremost in your mind, or is it just a pleasant idea? Don't forget that the same loving Father that created Heaven also created Hell. If your desire is Heaven, what do you think will give you and your loved ones the best chance of arriving at that destination? If you are like me you might decide that it is time to take start making plans. God will help us every step of the way, but we must start.

For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:9, NIV