"So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air." 1Cor 9:26

Sports are such a big part of our culture these days. Especially in the fall, our TV channels offer sporting events from baseball to football, soccer to auto racing and more - 24/7. The Apostle picks up on some sports metaphors as he concludes his comments about his ministry to the Corinthians. He then goes on to challenge and warn believers. They also need to run so that they may win and box with connection - not following in the footsteps of previous generations with whom God was not pleased. The warning pervades other Scriptures as well. Hebrews 12:1 carries the same metaphor: "let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles, and run with endurance the race set before us"

Do not run aimlessly! Do not miss your mark! Fight the fight!

This is an admonition to all of us who follow Christ. Are we truly running the race God has for us? Are we aiming for the right target? It's clear from the Scriptures that there are forces that oppose us daily – the flesh (1Pet2:11), the world (1John2 ) and the Devil (1Pet5:8). So we can't afford to let our focus drift. We can't allow our feet to run aimlessly. The stakes are too high for Christ's sake and our impact in other's lives.

But what are we running for? What are we boxing for?

American culture and businesses are built on this type of undivided focus on goals. The problem for so many of us, I fear, is that our definition of success is really about being successful "Cultural Christians" rather than successful "Kingdom Christians." It's easy to adopt culture standards rather than biblical standards and deceive ourselves into thinking God is for it.

A while back I was irritated by the actions of some friends who divorced after 20 some years of marriage. They said they just weren't compatible anymore and would both be happier apart, rather than together. So, they quietly divorced and are now pursuing other relationships. Now I'm not trying to judge them or say that I understand their issues. But, this alerted me to the large numbers of us who have embraced a wrong definition of success in life or have allowed our hearts to become invaded by worldly values

We redefine success and lose aim. We run off course and take on weight. We leave our mission and beat the air. And we try to embrace God's bullseye while clinging to the world's substitutes. I feel the pull daily.

Do we know what success is at it's very basic and pure level? I mean, do you and I know what God's target is for us? Is it happiness over all else? Is it comfort over hardship? Is it wealth and status over character? And beyond just knowing, are we truly embracing it from our hearts?

What if this couple's first aim in life was knowing God more? What if their next aim was becoming more like Christ?

These two objectives pretty much sum up God's plan for our lives as believers. Once we've accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, these objectives are at the heart of God's work in our lives. Multiple Scriptures point us here both by command and example - Phil3:8-15, Jn17:3, Romans 8:28, 29, Hosea 6:3, 2Pet1:3-10, Ps 46 - to name a few. Of course, there are also other goals in life we must pursue. But when it's at the expense of knowing God and becoming more like Jesus, we're off base. I fear we put more focus on our other goals rather than these primary goals. And if we ignore these we get no traction in reaching them.

What if our top aim in life was knowing God and becoming more like Christ?

What if we were unwilling to compromise? What if difficult relationships are the means God uses to make us more like Christ and to know Him better? What if when tested by our circumstances we remain steadfast and actually do become more like Jesus? From passages like Romans 8:28,29, it's easy to think that becoming like Christ is something God does to us, but the Apostle Peter makes clear that we also have a part to play. We have to apply (surrender) our wills to knowing God and becoming like Him. (2Pet1:3-11) We have to make it our aim.

God calls us to choose...
We have a part in becoming like Christ.
We have a part in living for His sake.
We have a part in knowing Him better.
We have a part in becoming fully devoted worshippers…
and by His grace we can choose.

We all fail at this.
But ah, God’s grace receives us back and re-engages us in transformation!

So what's your aim today? What is mine? Certainly, we are called to have goals in all areas of our lives but we must NEVER give up or compromise this race. It takes commitment, strength, and self-control.

"So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1Cor9:25,26

Perhaps the first step is simply declaring to the Lord each day. “Lord, by Your Spirit, I surrender to knowing You more today and to becoming more like Jesus in every way. Increase my passion for You!” Let this be our offering for His glory.

What helps you stay focused on what is most important and running toward it?

Have you committed to God's purpose in your life? (To know Him and become like Him.)

Are you certain that you do know Him? If you're not sure, I'd be glad to share with you how you can be sure. Write me today!

Tags:goal setting, growth