This Almost Never Works!

I was once asked to think of something that I disagree about with everyone I respect. My answer was that goal setting doesn’t work. I feel this way because I'm not sure where I am supposed to end up. We’re supposed to be on a mission to “make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found”, and I know some places I can do that, and I can plan how to make those efforts more effective, but I have no way to how God will get me there. 

I've been struck lately by how little the disciples did while they were with Jesus. I’m pretty sure that if they had goals then none were met. Yes, at one point Jesus sent them out to “proclaim the kingdom and to heal” but beyond that they mostly just followed him around. Until they received a very direct commission their only job was to walk with him, and I think we’re supposed to join them in this slow, relational school of discipleship. Rather than making plans around what we think he may be doing, I think we should just spend time with him. So here’s the question I’m starting to ask myself: where do I experience the presence of God, where do I get the feeling that I am walking with him? I have found three answers. The first is when I am reading my Bible in a particular way, specifically, reading smaller sections slowly while taking notes and stopping to pray throughout. The second is pausing as often as I remember to recognize his presence in the moment (this one’s pretty tough). The third is public worship. These are three stones on the path where I recognize that I am walking with Jesus, and not one of them involves goal setting. 

Liz Bohannan says that we should stop telling people to dream big. We should tell them instead to dream small because lots of small things add up to huge accomplishments. So one step at a time.

What should we do about this today? Right now, close your eyes and ask yourself where do you experience God’s presence? Then plot a path to walk there more often. Finally, write it down because the Satan wants you to forget, seriously, write it down right now.

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21).

“ He has told you, O man, what is good;

     and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

     and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:16-18)

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring” (James 4:13-14a).