“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.” (Galations 6:4-5)
It is so easy in today’s society to compare ourselves to others. Cars, houses, salaries, rank, jobs, our bodies, our children…the list goes on and on. The reality is, God has given each of us different talents, gifts, and circumstances. He wants us to be good stewards of the life He has given us, not to toss it out with the garbage because it’s not “good enough,” or because it doesn’t look like someone else’s life.
As we look back over last year, and begin to make goals for 2011, let’s focus on what Christ wants for us. Let’s put the focus on our own responsibilities. Am I faithfully living for God and doing the things He has called me to do? Am I spending time in the Word every day? Is my love for Christ as deep as it should be? Am I obeying the most important commandments of 1) Loving the Lord with all my heart, and 2) Loving my neighbor as myself?
There is nothing wrong with making goals to eat better, or be more active, but let’s also remember our spiritual goals. Ask the Lord what He wants for you this year. Ask Him where He wants to use you…and then open your heart to it. It might not look like the plan you had for yourself, but if you truly submit to Him, it will be better than you could have imagined.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)