Why We Do What We Do
Do What you love. Thoreau
At this juncture of the series on goal setting, I thought it might be helpful to explain why I structured my first four goals in the way I did. It is important to stress that not all of my goals have to be yours, and the way that we individually pursue a proper relationship with God is largely left up to each of us. Here are the first four goals that I thought most useful for my service to God and Christ. Please note that they are not stated from a standpoint of presumption, but from a standpoint of an intentional plan. If I succeed, it will be by God's grace!
Goal #1: I am going to Heaven and I am taking my loved ones with me.
Goal #2: I will begin each day with prayer and Scripture.
Goal #3: I will worship with the church on the first day of every week.
Goal #4: I will attend first day of the week and mid-week Bible classes.
I might mention that of these goals, #1 and #3 are direct commands. The other two goals involving prayer and study are also commands, but ones in which we have a great deal of latitude in achieving. Therefore, we each get to plan on how best to meet our individual responsibilities in these areas. An example from my own experience might help to explain the motivation behind my goals.
I am now 50 and still play basketball a couple of times a week. To the best of my memory, I have in the past 40 years broken my nose, an ankle, and countless fingers. I have sprained my ankles enough to have been on crutches dozens of times. At 40, I tore my patella tendon and had a surgery which included the implant of a cadaver part. I had a shoulder pulled so far out of joint that I had to go into surgery to have it put back in place. I have had cracked ribs, black eyes and countless bruises, yet I still play this stupid game as much as I can.
So, why do I keep playing? Okay, beyond the obvious answer of possible brain damage, the reason is because I love it! At the same time, I should note that I don't eat creamed corn. Why, you ask? Because I don't love it! Now for the correlation: You and I will do everything in our power to ensure that we and our families are in Heaven someday, including worshiping, praying and studying as much as we can. We will do these things, not because in some twisted way we believe that we can earn our salvation. Rather, we will do so because we love to pray and read God's word and praise Him in worship. But, if we don't do these things, could it possibly be because we do not love to do them? We do tend, in fact, to do what we love.
If you love Me, you will obey what I command. (Jesus)
John 14:15, NIV
