Working towards goals and aspirations in this life is a worthy task. God has placed unique desires and talents in each of us. He is imploring us daily to reach out to Him to put these desires and talents to use. We must stay conscious that we cannot obtain these things on our own. We can find delight in being humbled by the process of obtaining that which we seek. In this way God is preparing us for the grandeur of what He has waiting for us. In all things, we should “press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” When we allow Him to fully take hold of us is when the impossibility of all we aspire to accomplish starts to fall in place with ease and the “unforced rhythms of grace.” (See Matthew 11:28-30)
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Philippians 3:12 NIV
God needs our attention to be squarely focused on right now. This does not mean that we cannot or should not write down the things He places on our hearts and minds for the future. However, it does mean that we are not to get carried away with the future so much so that we dismiss the present. The present is tremendously important to our plans coming to fruition. It is in the present that we learn all that we need to know for what is to come. The present is where He prepares us to receive what is to come in the future. As we move into a new year, the best thing we can do for our ambitions is to be with God in the present, allowing Him to shape us for what is to come.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 NIV
Considerations for your planner:
- Write down the goals you have for 2022. Have you invited God into those goals today?
- What are you focused on today? Write it down and ask God if that is where He wants your attention.
A Story of Staying Present:
I used to have a 10 year plan for my life. My maid of honor at my wedding gave a toast about it. We worked together in college and she shared how I would place expectations on our coworkers for the shift to pull their own weight since we pooled tips. Her point was that I was always organized and I never expected anything of anyone else that I did not expect of myself.
I remember thinking that her toast was endearing, but that I sounded really tightly wound. I knew in that moment I needed to change. Being organized and having high standards aren’t bad qualities, but they also felt very depleting. In the days and weeks that followed the feeling of the pressure I had levied on myself grew.
It has not been an overnight transformation, but I have been changed. I finally gave into faith for God’s plan for my life. I started to let go of the pressure I put on myself to do, have and succeed on my own. This is a daily endeavor. I am grateful to God’s word to keep me present for what God has for me. I feel the momentum of my life more each day with the increase of trust I place on Him.
- Anonymous
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
