I have always loved listening to these guys celebrate their teams goals. Maybe its because it helps me justify my own actions when the Cowboys get in the end zone! But this video not only made me feel better about my own crazy fan hood...It also got me thinking...
What's my goal? What's your goal? We all have different ones; and the over achievers reading this probably have more than one. Goals come in all shapes and sizes; and many of our goals depend on the situations we are currently in. If you are in school, your goal is probably to finish so you can find a job. If you just had your first son, like me, your goal is probably trying to avoid changing as many diapers as possible...just kidding...your goal is probably to be the best dad you can be. Or maybe you just received the news from the doctor that you have a serious illness and all your previous goals have just been surpassed by the single goal of living another day.
Our goals will change. When I was a little boy my ultimate goal was to become a professional baseball player. Obviously, when I grew up and realized I couldn't hit a curve ball, my goal changed.
So, what's your goal these days? Mine, well...it has recently changed thanks to Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5. He writes, "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
Lets state the obvious...Our actions matter. And not only do they matter, but we will all have to answer for the things we do, whether good or bad. And lets get this straight too. Our actions do not EARN our righteousness nor our salvation. Only God's GRACE through Christ can give us those things. However, all of us will stand before God in the end, and give an answer for the things we do. And what do our actions have to do with our goals?
Well, this one is easy. OUR GOALS DETERMINE OUR ACTIONS! Paul's goal was to please Christ in all things; whether in death or life. And that goal determined the course of his life. It was the underlining purpose in everything he did. This is what I want...I want my motivation for all my actions to be a longing to please God.
Being a great Dad is an awesome goal; and I know it pleases our Heavenly Father. But I want my desire to be a good dad to be rooted in my desire to please GOD. Because if its rooted in anything else, it wont have the sustaining power when things become hazy, or hard, or impossible. If my desire to be a good dad is simple rooted in my love for my son, what happens when he grows up and continually disrespects and disobeys me? Will my love for him be enough motivation to be the father I know I need to be? Maybe, but maybe not. But if my desire is to please God in all things...He will help me muster the love I need for my son. He will give me the strength to do the things I know I need to do.
Making our Ultimate Goal to please our Father in Heaven gives us focus when things get hazy, or even completely dark. It gives us direction when all paths seem foreign.
And I believe that when our underlying goal is to please God, when we reach our other goals like becoming a doctor, living another day, or being a great dad....HE celebrates even harder than the soccer announcer in that video. So set you goal on pleasing HIM...and let GOD yell GOAL!!! GO...GO...GO..GO...GOAL!
