We all have desires, dreams and things that we want to accomplish in this new year but it’s important for us to make sure that we fix our hearts are set in the right direction. Are our desires, dreams and goals what God wants for us? Are we aiming at the things that God wants us to aim at? It has been said that it’s a sad thing if you come to the end of your life only to realize that you’ve climbed to the top of the wrong ladder. You need to make sure that you’re headed in the right direction because it doesn’t matter how successful you are in this life, true success is only in doing what you are called to. You don’t get rewarded for doing a good job of something you weren’t supposed to do; you get rewarded for doing what you were supposed to do. It’s sad for me that there are so many people who don’t stick to what God’s called them to do; they want to do what other people are doing and yet every single one of us have a specific lane that God has called us to, and we need to earn to stick to that lane.
Hebrews 12:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heaven is watching us and cheering us on in that which God has called us to: “the race that is set before us.” Each of us has a specific race to run and we’ve got to make sure that we’re keeping to that race and sticking to our lane. We shouldn’t be running in any other lane except that which God has called us to. We should not be trying to run like other people, either. We don’t get rewarded for being successful or being like someone else, we only get rewarded for doing what God has called us to do. It doesn’t matter how good you do in life and how good whatever you do is, you need to your race and be successful in doing the right things. I could do many things in my life and be successful – success, as the world defines it, is not necessarily success – but I’m focused on doing the things that I know God has called me to do. I’m not interested in fluff; I have chosen to be so laser-focused that I don’t have time for anything else. I am single-minded and have one purpose and one goal, and that is to do what God has called me to do.
And this is the good news: God has something special, specific and significant for you to do. He has something for you to accomplish. He has good plans and purposes for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 New King James Version (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
3 John 2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
God desires for you to have a prosperous future filled with hope. He wants you to prosper in life.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. 12 Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. 13 Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Walking in our purpose and living in the blessing that God has for us involves a seeking – it doesn’t just happen automatically. When you search for God with all your heart, then you find your purpose and your goals for the new year. Success in life is wrapped up in a relationship with God. As you seek Him, you will discover your purpose and walk in it!
Ephesians 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
“We are His workmanship.” This is powerful! That means that we belong to Him and that He decides on our purpose. If you create something, you decide what that thing’s purpose is. You designed it with a specific function in mind. If we are His workmanship, it means that He has a purpose set for us. But, what is that purpose? What is that direction that He’s called you to?
“We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” You have been created for good works and you have been created to bring glory to God by your good works.
Matthew 5:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
This is your purpose: that the good things that you do will bring glory to God! You were “created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” God has specific purposes for you to walk in, but there needs to be a “walking” in these purposes. If you don’t “walk” in these purposes, then they will never happen.
No-one is an accident. When you were born it was not as if God didn’t know what to do with you! There’s are no “extras” in the film of life. You have a significant role to play. God has a significant work for you to do on the earth. It may not be a big work, but whatever it is, it is certainly a significant one – one that will impact generations to come and eternity! Whatever God is calling you to, it’s going to be significant. As you set your heart on Him and walk with Him, you will naturally start to walk in these good works. As you do, you will experience more and more of His goodness. You’re going to come alive like never before!