What is your goal in life?

A couple of days ago I was asked an interesting question. I really didn't have a good answer, so I gave a somewhat flippant reply. But the question has haunted me since. The question was, "What is your goal in life?" or, restated, "What do you want out of life?"

I confess that there are things I want in life, like Brad Paisley's new album, a new laptop, Adobe CS4 on my computer at home, my leg to start feeling better so I can get back into running, etc. But none of these worthy desires are the real answer to that question of what do I want out of life.

Such a simple question, but it stopped me in my tracks. What do I REALLY want to accomplish in life? There were things I knew weren't the answer. For example, receiving all kinds of accolades or awards in my chosen profession of graphic design, or making a six-figure income, or climbing the highest mountain on every continent, etc. While these would be nice achievements, these just aren't things that drive me or things I am really passionate about.

So WHAT WAS the answer? I realized with a sudden shock that perhaps I've been too content to live my life day-to-day, just doing the next thing, without taking into account the bigger picture of my life as a whole. While there is a place for the day-to-day living, and something to be said for the flexibility this type of living allows (where you are ready to take life as it comes and do what God asks of you more readily), I suddenly realized that there is also something to be said for having a bigger vision or mission, a goal towards which you are working so that you don't allow yourself to be distracted from achieving the ultimate purpose for your life by the little things that so easily come up in the day-to-day living. I realized that I'd perhaps been a little off-balance in the way I've been living my life. Heavy on the flexibility, day-to-day part and perhaps a little weak on the committed, determined and purposeful moving towards the fulfillment of an overriding plan that God has for my life. What a shame to come to the end of my life and wonder what exactly did I accomplish?

So having pondered this for a few days, I'd like to say that I have a "goal" to first be known by God (Mt. 7:21-23, Gal. 4:9, John 10:14); secondly, to know God (Philippians 3:8-14); and thirdly, to make Him known to others.

1) Be known of or by God. This is sort of a multi-faceted piece of the goal. Firstly, this means to me that I am known of Him through salvation. He knows me as His own. Secondly, this means that my goal to be known of Him indicates also that I am in open fellowship with Him. I am not hiding from Him and He is free to show me what I am and what He wants to change in me. This can be risky business, but a necessity in the growing process.

2) To know God. This means that I am making Him my study. That as I fellowship with Him, not only is He showing me who I am, but He is showing me, too, who HE is. I am in communion with Him, learning more of Him and growing in my knowledge of Him. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, my life is being lived in such a way that He is able to "expound the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27).

3) To make Him known to others. This may manifest itself in a variety of ways. Could be a Bible study, a kind or encouraging word, an admonition or exhortation where needed, a simple sharing of my testimony, a whispered prayer, a visit to the hospital, a moral stand for integrity at the office, etc. Could be any or all of the above and/or more. This is where the flexible, day-to-day part comes into play as a key factor in accomplishing the overall mission.

So, there. I now have a somewhat generalized version of what I want to do with my life, a goal towards which I can point my daily life. I still can't tell you exactly what this will look like or how it will manifest itself in 5 years, but I can at least tell you this is what I want to do, which is more than I could have told you a few days ago...

I still wouldn't mind having Adobe CS4, though, as well. ;)