Goals and the Measure of Success

Five Minute Friday time! It's been quite awhile... too long... 

The link for the link up: fiveminutefriday.com/2019/06/13/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-goal/
Also linking with http://www.spiritualsundays.com/

The word for this five minute spree is GOALS.  

The first thought that comes to mind is how much I wish I could be better at accomplishing goals.  I have all these ideas and dreams and "to do" list things... and I am lucky if half gets done.  I wish I had more motivation, more speed, more time... how will I ever be successful?

And right on the heels of that thought, I clearly sense God gently correcting me.  If we were face to face, I am sure He would look at me with love and compassion in His eyes and say, 

"My measure of success is different than yours.  If you are spending time with me, if you draw close to my heart and know me, if you are in tune with Holy Spirit and sensitive to His promptings, if you understand the Kingdom of Heaven and its principles and are spreading my truth and peace and joy, then you are successful.  You are carrying out my goals for you."

And I would say, "But are you really sure that's enough?  I feel like more should be accomplished than I tend to get done."

And God would repeat Himself, more firmly, and then say, "Rest in my presence.  In the peace I give you.  Draw strength from that and know that as long as you are doing things from a place of resting and trusting in me, the important things that need to be done, the lasting things, the things that will be rejoiced over in Heaven, those things will be done."

And I would sigh and say, "Ok." Then I would fall into His arms and rest in His love.  

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

"So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.  I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless."   John 15:4-5 (TPT)


"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."  Romans 14:17 (ESV)