Planning For Success

Early in life, Michael Johnson was taught how to plan for success. Each time he would share his dreams with his father, he was asked, "How do you plan to do that?" He was then expected to list each step involved in reaching his goals, research everything that was involved to accomplish his goals, and list every step involved in attaining his goals. Life was all about “the goals!”

When he became a sprinter, he applied the same rules to running. As a result of his goal-setting skills, his careful planning, and extensive training, he won four gold medals as a sprinter in the Olympics. After his victorious achievements, he was “crowned” the world champion sprinter eight times and still holds two world records. In the world of running, everyone acknowledges his success.

For the Christian, success is victorious living and honoring God with the gifts He has given us. We must take our goals and plans to God and ask for His blessings on them. We must make certain that they are deeply rooted in God’s Word, that He can empower them with His blessings, have integrity and honesty, and be consistent with God's will for our lives and His world. There is a vast difference in worldly success and Godly success, however. Godly success comes to the Christian when we honor Him in everything we do. And, we can be assured that we are honoring Him when He blesses our lives for being faithful to Him. We may never set any world records or receive a single one of this world’s medals, but we will inherit the “Crown of Life” if we are faithful.

Prayer: Lord, may we always set goals and make plans that You can bless. May we strive to honor You in all that we do. May each achievement in our lives be blest by You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 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.