Worthwhile goals give richness and meaning to life. We were not created to wander about like sheep without a shepherd (Jer. 10:23; Mt. 9:36). Direction and purpose are hallmarks of Christian living. Jesus, the great Shepherd, provides the direction we need (Jn. 10:11; Hb. 13:20; Jn. 14:6). As we follow Him, clearly defined objectives become apparent as we compare our lives to His example. These objectives become the substance of our spiritual goals. But, when it comes to setting such goals, many are reluctant to reach beyond present comfort and risk potential failure. We must be active participants in the growth process God generates within us through word.

However, it’s not easy to make changes. We resist change because it makes us feel uncomfortable. But the growth expected of us requires change (1 Pet. 3:18). We cannot merely wait for change to come our way—we must initiate meaningful change by setting the course of our lives in the direction of God’s word. Even small steps move us forward. But, if we aim for nothing; we will hit our goal every time.

One of the greatest engineering feats of the past century was the completion of the Panama Canal. America’s initial involvement in this monumental task was marked by many of the same failure as experienced by the French who had given up on the work. But, when John Stevens took over the project, things changed. His philosophy is revealed in the instructions he gave to a division head, Frank Maltby. Stevens said, “You won’t get fired if you do something, you will if you don’t do anything. Do something. If it is wrong, you can correct that, but there is no way to correct nothing” (David McCullough, The Path Between the Seas, 469).

Those who take pride in never having set goals might take a lesson from history. “Nothing” is the most difficult problem to correct. People who set a direction for their lives often fall short. But, growth is often the result of such failure. We can learn from our mistakes. But, what can we learn from nothing? Only those who risk failure grow. This is where faith enters the picture. Walking by faith means that we will let God set our direction—a direction which can only be pursued by obeying His commandments (2 Cor. 5:7; Hb. 11). As children, when our parents asked what we were doing, a guilty conscience may have prompted us to say, “Nothing.” Such denial may have worked for us as children, but the time has come to put away childish things. “Nothing” is not an appropriate life-response to the love and grace of God (Jn. 1:15; Tit. 2:11-14). In fact, the “one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (Jas. 4:17).
–Glen Elliott–