“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:2-3 ESV
Growing up, my dream was to be a famous performer. That made no sense because I was shy and hated being in front of people. I cried in front of my fourth-grade class because I was so afraid of simply reading something I had written.
As I grew, I began to step out and overcome fear. I became a lead actress in high school and college plays. I lived from one play to the next, striving after that dream. I was good enough to think that maybe I could make it in the theatre world. However, the goal of making a living wasn’t enough. I would watch the Oscars or Tony awards and imagine myself giving a winning acceptance speech. It’s a little embarrassing to admit. But I have a suspicion that I’m not the only one.
It wasn’t until I surrendered my life to Jesus that my dreams and goals began to change. The desire for the acclaim of the entertainment world faded, and my dream, my ultimate goal, transformed. My goal became to do the will of God, to please Him, and bring glory to His name.
That’s when I began to find peace, and the pressure to strive for acclaim started to disappear. I began to seek God to guide my goals. That’s when life truly became exciting and fulfilling.
What about you, my friend? What dreams still pursue you? Does peace elude you? Is your life fulfilling?
Dear friend, God wants to guide you toward His purpose for you. You don’t have to figure it out. You can be free of the pressure to perform for others' approval. When you let Him guide your goals, there is peace. When you let Him guide you, there is provision. When you let Him guide you, you won’t be exhausted, but you will be filled along the way. God’s guidance leads you into His presence, not just His purpose, and into peace.
Seek Him for Your path. Believers and unbelievers seem to spend just as much energy trying to find their purpose and make their own plans. I spent so much energy pursuing roles and thinking about how to reach my dream. It was exhausting, and there was never peace. But God wants to shepherd me and you. He wants to guide you into His plans and purposes. And when He guides, He also provides, materially and emotionally.
There is peace on His path. When you let God guide your goals, you find peace. Peace comes from His presence. Peace comes from relationship. Peace comes from knowing that He is with you to protect and provide. The Good Shepherd will guard and guide you along the right path.
As I began to seek Him, my desires changed. The striving stopped. Relationship with Him and pleasing Him became my priority, and that led to peace.
The right path leads to Jesus. When you and I follow God’s guidance for our path, we show the goodness of His character. The right path is not just the path we take to fulfill our purpose. The right path is the one that helps make us more like Jesus. It’s the path that shapes our character and leads us into godly decisions. The right path may challenge us and scare us, but it will also fill us with the knowledge that God is good. We learn more of who He is and who we are because of Him. It’s been an ongoing journey that I am grateful to be traveling. What about you?
Dear friend, seeking God for your goals will lead you into the peace of knowing that you are walking with Him and He is near. His presence surrounds you with His peace and the knowledge that you please Him. When God guides your goals, you’ll discover that His purpose is so much more than accomplishing something. His purpose is that you and I grow in reflecting His character so that we shine His glory on those we encounter.
When God guides my goals, I bring glory to His name. That’s a goal I want to pursue.
Key Question: What does it look like for God to guide my goals?
A Scripture to Consider: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”Psalm 23:2-3 ESV
A YES Challenge: Take a day to rest and set aside all your questions about which path to take. When they arise during your day of rest, offer them to the Lord. Pray, “Lord, I trust You will lead me in the right path for Your name’s sake.”
Prayer: Lord, I want to follow You wholeheartedly. I want to follow the right path, but sometimes I just don’t know which way to go. Help me to follow You into rest. I submit all my dreams and goals to You. Lead me on the right path for Your name’s sake. I want to experience the peace and provision that comes within Your presence. My life is Yours. Amen.
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