What is the Best Goal?

Aspire to something that is worth your life. Don’t set goals that will not satisfy when they are achieved.

To aspire is to strongly desire a goal. Far too often we set goals that are less than aspirational, hopeful, or ambitious. Sadly, some of our goals are just vapor. Some aspire to be wealthy, or successful (whatever that may mean to them), or physically fit. Even worse, some goals are achieved in harmful ways.

“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.” Proverbs 21:6

Solomon wrote a book about aspirations. It is the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. One verse early in the book declares, “All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” Ecclesiastes 1:8

Admission of Foolish Goals and Lacking Noble Goals

Let me confess. I have often had less than noble or worthwhile goals. Some goals have been foolish. Many of the blessings we enjoy as a family are not the result of any real effort on my part. Although, by the world’s standards, we have wealth, our wealth is not the result of our intellect or cleverness. Although I had a very successful career in Information Technology, I never aspired to be a vice president – and yet God was gracious and gave me opportunities that took me into some great businesses. I can also honestly say that I never aspired to teach pastors in India or to help a Chinese congregation with youth ministries, or to be an elder in the church. My goals were less noble most of the time. But I did and do desire to be faithful.

A Noble Aspiration

Paul says this to Timothy, his young protégé: “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.  Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Notice what is missing in this role of overseer (elder, shepherd, bishop): loving money. In our world this is one of the primary aspirations of many: “I want more money.” For my investing friends, may I ask, “And when you have more, what will you do with it?” Will it matter when the clock stops ticking for your life here on earth? Don’t set goals that are a vapor.

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

The true follower of Jesus has a focused ambition to honor and worship God. This is (or should be) love-motivated and will lead to obedience.

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Think about that. God will judge every deed, all of the hidden things that you think no one knows, and this should cause a response of fear. This fear can be terror, or it can be one of honor, respect, and proper worship.

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.