I was sitting on the patio a few days ago and saw a family loading their car with 3 young people, all in their caps and gowns. Everyone was excited and the laughter could be heard across the yards. As they drove by, I couldn’t help noticing a large sign on the side doors congratulating the graduates, as well as, the back window smeared with white paint, “congratulations on your accomplishments!”
It’s not uncommon to seek accomplishment whether it is academically, career wise, financially, relationally, etc. Setting the proper order of priority is where the lesson lies.
Having worked for a major company for many years, I was well familiar with quarterly budgets, sale projections and strategic planning to ensure that the outcome was in accordance with what was expected and planned for. That model worked well across the years and the goals were met and that was a good thing.
It is wise to live life with a plan taking advantage of all the gifts and talents that the Lord has given us; however, when we allow ourselves to solely get caught up in the plans and the strategies and our accomplishments, life can present a different challenge.
Don’t get me wrong, I know all about it, because I have been guilty of being so focused on my goals and objectives that I at times needed to check myself. I don’t know about you, but when I get just a little too far off the path, the Lord will yank me back into the realities of what my focus truly needs to be.
Recently, I encountered devastation in my life. Unprepared and unsuspecting, this incident had the potential of tearing down a life built over many years. Initially, I spent a lot of time in panic mode, not knowing which way to turn and fearing for me and my parents who I provide care for.
But, luckily for me, I quickly snapped back to myself and realized that the only place I should have ever placed my faith and my trust was in the Lord, anything else, is sinking sand.
Our plans are great and even necessary, but when we are busy getting our degrees, and working our careers, and celebrating our new houses and cars, we must stop quick, fast and in a hurry and give the honor to the One that made it all possible. Isaiah 26:4 puts it like this, “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” The most powerful words for me in that verse are, forever and everlasting and I will add “without fail!”
We must never forget that there is nothing that we will ever accomplish that does not have the potential of fading away. Regardless of how great things are today, we have all seen situations when the story can change the very next day. But the good news is, if we remember our priorities and give honor first in our giving and our deeds to the Lord, the one that it all belongs to anyhow, we have the security of His unchanging hand which will lead us to the victory one more time!
Tanya is an inspirational speaker and writer living in Charlotte. You can friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360you@aol.com.
