By Pr. Rhoda Klein Miller
Amid resolutions and goal setting for the new year, have you given thought to what your life’s goal is? What will be your measure of success? Attending ‘that’ school or winning ‘that’ trophy? Buying the dream house or car? Finding the ‘perfect’ partner? Retiring early to enjoy world travel? When we have found our ultimate purpose and all-encompassing objective our daily, weekly and seasonal goals should move us closer to realizing it.
Jesus speaks about the greatest thing we can do with our lives in Matthew 22:34-40. Like rule-obsessed Pharisees we can get so caught up in what we “should” be doing and our task-oriented lists that we miss the whole point. Jesus narrowed it down for them in point blank terms: love God and love others. That’s it. Our lives, including our goals, should be about loving God and loving others. The beauty of it is that regardless of life’s circumstances, privileges or injustices, everyone has equal opportunity at succeeding in this. As you examine your goals, reflect on how they help you develop a deeper love of God and people. If you can’t find the connection, it might be worth reevaluating your goal.
Our goals don’t have to be specifically spiritual to have spiritual implications. I’m working on implementing healthier practices into my lifestyle because I want to reap the benefits of a sharper mind and energized body. This goal affects how I can love God and love others better when I increase my capacity to think and move. However if my motivation was to be able to rock a summer swimsuit then this goal is not aligned with my ultimate purpose; it wouldn’t be about God or others, it would be about my vanity. I’m praying the motivation to love how I feel eclipses my desire to love how I look.
If we find our grand aim in life is to be like Jesus and follow His way we have to focus on putting love into action. Jesus—Creator of all things, Prince of Heaven and Commander of angel armies—modelled no self indulgence but self sacrifice. His life was all about demonstrating His love for us. So our life should mirror that too. Surrender your goals and plans to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and ask for revelation to love well.