Daily Nuggets of Grace Part 6 Calm!نموونە

God’s Goals or Mine?

We had a goal, an end game. My husband and I would take an early retirement, and he would fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a farmer. A detailed plan came together with the know-how from his youth as a farm kid, his experience in the agricultural industry, and the counsel of other farmers.

We would live in a small nearby college town with plenty of opportunities to enjoy various sports and concerts. We met with a pastor there and were excited about our new future. Goodbye city life! We were moving full steam ahead until the price of crops grown in that area took a nosedive, and we couldn't realistically afford the expensive equipment needed to begin operations.

Our dream was gone like the fine mist of morning rain, but God's plans for us were not. It felt under our control, but it was not. Circumstances and people thwarted our goal.

How's it going with your goals? You may have had a career goal thwarted or a desired relationship that ended. Perhaps your goal for a happy, harmonious family has seemingly gone up in smoke.

But amid disappointment, you can still realize God's goal for you. Our circumstances cannot thwart His goal. His goal for us, born out of His heart of love and care, is to become like Jesus. He's all about developing our character. He delights in seeing things like self-control, patient endurance, brotherly affection, and the crown jewel of love. These all reflect the character of Christ.

His no’s are as vital as His yes’s. Even in His no's, there is a yes when we put our hope in His unfailing love. There is only one who can thwart God's goal for us—it's the man or woman in the mirror.

Having goals that are unclear, out of reach, or blocked by others can generate anxiety in our minds. We fret vigorously as we strive for the goals we’ve set for ourselves.

However, great peace enters our souls when we embrace God’s goal for us – growing in Christ-like character. As we pursue the character of Jesus, anxiety melts away.

Reflect and Respond

Are circumstances or people thwarting a current goal? What can you remember about God that can lead you to trust His love and thus reflect His character?

Pray

Lord Jesus, your no’s are hard. But Your love is behind all of them. I want to receive Your abundant grace and, by faith, submit to Your goal of looking like You!