I Need New Goals

This June will mark 15 years since I graduated from high school. Any time I think of that evening I am flooded with the most vivid memories. From the perspective of some I was very successful in high school. I played multiple sports, was on the leadership council, and had plenty of friends. However, my academic endeavors left much to be desired. Toward the end of my senior year things had gotten pretty dismal and I was in danger of not graduating. After surviving final exams by the grace of God and the mercy of my teachers I knew that something had to change. On that warm evening in June I sat during my graduation and cried. I asked God to forgive me for my laziness and complacency. I asked him to help me do better. That night I promised myself that I wouldn’t let failure be an option again. I promised myself that I would work hard and do my best. 

Shortly after graduating I set some goals for myself. I was going to get my degree and get hired to teach at the high school that I went to. 

So I did. 

Then I set goals to travel and get my Masters degree. 

So I did. 

Then I set a goal to buy a house. 

So I did. 

Then I panicked. 

The world tells us that when we reach our goals we will suddenly have great jubilation and life will be filled with rainbows and unicorns and that after you reach your goals you simply live like a gleeful hobbit for the rest of your days. I had reached my goals and I was sad. I was sad and confused. Why wasn’t I happy? Why did I feel so unsettled? Why was I suddenly unable to sleep through the night? 

So I prayed. I prayed a lot. 

God answered my prayers in many ways. First, He brought people into my life that reminded me to cling to Christ and be in the Word. Second, being in the Word redirected my heart and mind. Third, He showed me that it was time to set new goals. 

One of the reasons that I felt so lost and sad after I reached my goals was that I was so focused on the goals and I had lost sight of Christ. I had forgotten the words of 1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

I do not think there is anything wrong with the goals I had set, but I had let the goals become an idol. Glorifying God with my every word, deed and breath must be the primary goal. Anything else that I endeavor to do will come after that goal and must be able to be in line with that goal. 

I am nearly finished with my tenth year of teaching. I will be moving into my house in the next few months. So, I am asking the Lord what He has for me next. I will keep you all posted on my next goal, whatever it may be.