By Pastor Rhoda Klein Miller
It’s never too late to embrace the habit of daily devotional time. If you haven’t joined us yet in the 5 day Bible reading plan to spiritually prepare for the transition of a new year, check it out here
What is your most significant goal in all of life? This all-encompassing goal should serve as a litmus test to align our daily, weekly and seasonal goals. In Matthew 22:34-40 we find Jesus teaching about the greatest thing we can do. Like rule-obsessed Pharisees we can get so caught up in what we “should” be doing and all our lists of “supposed tos” that we miss the whole point. Jesus narrowed it down for them—love God and love others. That’s it. Our lives, including our goals, should be about loving God and loving others. 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 overarching goal affects how I love God and love others when I increase capacity to think, feel and move. If, however, my motivation was to be able to rock a bikini this summer just for the vanity of it, then I’m missing the mark. At that point, my goal wouldn’t be about God or others, it would be about self. Our aim in life is to be like Jesus and follow His way. His way is about others. Even Jesus—Creator of all things, Savior, Redeemer, and Commander of angel armies—came to serve. His life was all about others. So our life should be too. Surrender your goals and plans to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and ask for revelation to love well and serve Him well.