We are blessed beyond our greatest imagination!

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We have to get things done in life. It helps to be educated, to achieve a good career position, to make the effort to provide the best life we can for our loved ones and families. Life offers many opportunities, and there is nothing inherently wrong with having aspirations.

However, being human beings, we have to guard that our aspirations don’t consume us. The pursuit of success and success itself can corrupt or destroy. We see evidence of this all around us.

On the dark side of this, we see people obsessed with obtaining money at all costs. We see people obsessed with fame, willing to do whatever outlandish thing will bring them attention. We see successful people become engulfed with excess, who harm themselves with food, drink, and drugs.

Seeking Goals Is Good, But Seek God First

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:32-33, “For the pagans pursue all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

Jesus understands human nature. He knows what arguments we’ll make, before we even say them. What reasons we’ll give to justify our quests…

In his sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 6:31, Jesus said: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”

Jesus understood that we can neglect what’s really essential, and make the mistake of believing that our goals are the most important thing in our lives.

It’s easy to become so consumed that it narrows our vision towards only focusing upon the goal, and away from the other more important aspects of our lives and the world around us.

The pursuit of goals can cause us to neglect ourselves or our families. We’ve all heard of couples who have opposing goals that eventually lead to divorce. Conflicts over goals can also end friendships and drive wedges between family members.

The dogged pursuit of goals can lead us to increased anxiety, worry, fear, disappointment, despair, depression and even suicide. That’s exactly why Jesus warned us in Matthew 6:31-33.

God Knows What You Need and Wants to Give It to You

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

– Hebrews 11:6

You don’t have to pursue your goals alone. In fact, when you pursue your goals alone without God – that’s where trouble and Satan finds you. God knows what you need and will help you achieve the goals that are right for you. When you’re strong with faith in God, you’ll be less likely to be corrupted and tempted by excess and success.

Seek God First, He’s Also Seeking You

“The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”

– Psalm 14:2