Good Or God? With John BevereSample

What’s Your Goal?

I have a question for you. What is your ultimate goal?

We often define goals in areas like our careers or finances. But it is your ultimate goal that determines your direction. Like the GPS on a smartphone, it directs you toward a set destination—even if you think you’re headed somewhere else. (Anyone who arrives at an event late because they followed their GPS to the wrong address can relate!)

So what is your goal? Is it popularity? Achievement? A certain lifestyle? Health? Happiness?

You may say, “I’d like all these things.” Most of us would, but what desire outweighs everything else?

We are all singled-minded in pursuit of something. To use Paul's language from Philippians 3:14, everyone is pressing toward some goal.

Years ago I was in pursuit of what I thought to be a noble goal. Every day I would pray, “Lord, use me to lead people to salvation, to speak the Word of God powerfully, to bring multitudes into Your kingdom, to heal the sick and get people free.” I asked for these things morning after morning.

Months passed, and one day God spoke to my heart: “Son, your prayers are off target.”

I was stunned! What could be more pleasing to my Creator than what I was asking for?

Then I heard the Spirit of God again. “Judas left all he had to follow Me. He preached the kingdom of God. He healed the sick, gave to the poor, and got people free. Judas is in hell.”

I trembled at the thought. Judas was the disciple who betrayed Jesus to His death. He attained all I was crying out for but was forever lost.

I realized I could be in the same category as Judas, so I earnestly inquired, “What should be my targeted goal?”

Tomorrow I’ll tell you how God answered that question. For now, try finishing Paul’s sentence: “I’m pressing toward…”

How did you fill in the blank? Is that a good goal, or could the appearance of good be concealing an error? If you need to reset your goal, what do you think God wants it to be? We've established that the Bible is the authority on what is or isn't good. What does it say our greatest desire should be?