Every one of us has dreams we strive to fulfill, goals we want to accomplish, and talents we wish to utilize. To realize all of these, to reach our potential is what Maslow calls self-actualization, and it is the pinnacle of his hierarchy of needs.
The U.S. Army capitalized on this desire with their longest running slogan “Be All You Can Be” (1980-2001).
The flip-side, however, can be devastating, and many a midlifer has experienced the disappointment that accompanies the realization that suddenly there aren’t enough years left to reach those goals, so now he or she must re-calculate future expectations in order to survive this “crisis.”
This is indeed a problem, but in truth, as Christians we do not need to suffer from dashed or derailed dreams, for God has provided us with a purpose that supersedes all others:
“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made . . . .” (Isaiah 43:7)
Simply put, our purpose in life is to bring glory to God. That is why we were created, and we can fulfill that purpose anywhere doing anything.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter what we do, it only matters why we do it. Paul reminds us of that fact when he says, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31)
Knowing that our primary purpose is to bring glory to God should relieve us of any pressure we might feel regarding our future. In fact, God’s promise to Israel is also His promise to us:
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
And those plans were made long before we were born:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Yes we should still plan and set goals, but we must remember that ultimately our future is in God’s hands, and if we obediently submit to his leading, then we never need to worry whether or not we became all we could be. God has that covered as well.
“. . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
The U.S. Army capitalized on this desire with their longest running slogan “Be All You Can Be” (1980-2001).
The flip-side, however, can be devastating, and many a midlifer has experienced the disappointment that accompanies the realization that suddenly there aren’t enough years left to reach those goals, so now he or she must re-calculate future expectations in order to survive this “crisis.”
This is indeed a problem, but in truth, as Christians we do not need to suffer from dashed or derailed dreams, for God has provided us with a purpose that supersedes all others:
“Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made . . . .” (Isaiah 43:7)
Simply put, our purpose in life is to bring glory to God. That is why we were created, and we can fulfill that purpose anywhere doing anything.
Therefore, it doesn’t matter what we do, it only matters why we do it. Paul reminds us of that fact when he says, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (I Corinthians 10:31)
Knowing that our primary purpose is to bring glory to God should relieve us of any pressure we might feel regarding our future. In fact, God’s promise to Israel is also His promise to us:
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
And those plans were made long before we were born:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Yes we should still plan and set goals, but we must remember that ultimately our future is in God’s hands, and if we obediently submit to his leading, then we never need to worry whether or not we became all we could be. God has that covered as well.
“. . . being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
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