Godly Goals And Desires

Has (God) said, and will not do it? Or has He spoken, and will not make it good? - Numbers 23:19

One key to successful living is learning to distinguish a godly goal from a godly desire.

A godly goal is any specific orientation reflecting God's purpose for your life that does not depend on people or circumstances beyond your ability and right to control. Virtually no one but yourself. The only person who can block a godly goal or render it uncertain or impossible is you.

By contrast, a godly desire is any specific orientation that depends on the consideration of other people or the success of events or favourable circumstances you cannot control. You cannot base your self-wroth or your personal success on your desires, no matter how godly they may be, because you cannot control all the people or circumstances that affect fulfilment.

When people or circumstances block our goals, we get angry. If our mentally perceived goal is uncertain, we feel anxious. If the goal appears impossible, we get depressed. But what God-given goal can be blocked, uncertain, or impossible? With God all things are possible, and I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me (Matthew19:26, Mark 1-:27, Luke 18:27, Phillipians 4:13). No one can keep us from being what God wants us to be except us.

Notice how God distinguishes between goals and desires. John wrote, "My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin" (1 John 2:1). Certainly God desires that we do not sin, but His status as God and His purposes cannot be blocked by anyone who exercises his will against repentance. But it is God's desire that everyone repent even thought not everyone will.

God accomplished His goal when Jesus said, "It is finished." What God has determined to do, He will do, so we can be all that He created us to be.

- Neil Anderson