“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra
One afternoon, my family and I were visiting a quaint German town and decided to ride a trolley to the top of a hill. We were looking forward to whatever treasure lay ahead—beautiful views or maybe even castle ruins. We bought our tickets and rode to the top. Exiting the trolley, we looked around and saw the only thing there –a massive parking lot. Is that it? Where is the beauty? Where’s our castle?
As we stood there in wonder, a German man walked over and in his best English he carefully asked, “What is it that you seek?” What is it we seek? I don’t know, but something more than a parking lot, that’s for sure.
Years later, his words still ring in my ears, “What is it that you seek?” What are we working towards? What is our aim? How can we participate with God in living out our calling? Where are we going?
On our busy days, sometimes we just move for the sake of going somewhere, but we haven’t taken the time to figure out where it is we are trying to go. Maybe we haven’t asked God if the trolley we are on is taking us somewhere good. All we know is that we are moving. We are busy. We are working our butts off—and shouldn’t that be enough?
Without an aim point, we might just be riding a trolley to a parking lot.
For most of my life I have run away from having goals. I don’t like feeling boxed in. I crave order, but I don’t like structure—in fact, I tend to fight it. God has definitely worked on my heart about this. Without goals, where will I end up when I am ninety? Ninety begins now.
Each day we are inching towards something. Even the tiniest of steps will eventually take us somewhere.
God has a plan for each of our lives. (Jer 29:11) When we seek His plans for our life, His goals become our goals, and we find fulfillment. At a deeper level, I think we know what our life’s purpose is, or at least we have a hint of it. It may sound silly or outrageously impossible. Thankfully, the impossible doesn’t scare God; He specializes in it.
Having a vision doesn’t mean we have all the details. The details appear as the journey unfolds. We may not know where it’s going, but I’d rather be on a bus that God is driving, than a self-chosen trolley that leads to nothing.
Our aim should be to get on the bus and ask God to drive — to commit our plans and actions to Him and let Him establish them. (Proverbs 16:3)
As we steward what is right in front of us, and give thanks for it, we are trusting God with our future, one step at a time.
He knows the turns we must take and the direction we must go, and He will build the roads if they aren’t there. Partner with God today for your future.
The surest way to get to where we were meant to go, to be who we were meant to be, and to do what we were meant to do, is to join with God and his plan for our lives.
Prayer: Lord, I commit my ways and actions to you. I bless your plans to prosper in my life. God, what do you have for me? What do you want me to focus on right now that will take me in the direction you would have me go? What do you want me to see that I have not seen? (Pause here and listen.)
Lead me in all your ways. I thank you for where I am right now and for the places you are taking me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. – Proverbs 3:5-8
