Setting goals is something I’ve been encouraged to do throughout the years when I began a new class, a new job, or a new commitment. Any time there is a new expectation or a new season, we want to have a good start. Goals are something that help us to have a good start. And we have to look at what we hope the end result will be so that we can figure out how we will get from point A to point B. Both the start and the finish are important as we look to the goals in our life.
What do you need to focus on more, the starting line or the finish line? Sometimes we struggle with even getting to the starting line. We have lots of great ideas about what we want to do and who we want to be, but actually taking that first step is not easy. Then other times, we may be great at starting things, but completing those tasks is another thing, and we may leave many things unfinished. Setting, starting, and accomplishing goals can be a challenge!
There are times in my faith that I’ve wondered the same thing about what God is doing in my life. Why is God not finished with this yet? Isn’t he going to start getting this taken care of? We often cry out in times that we are facing struggles and we begin to question where God is and whether he is truly looking out for our good.
At the times that these questions come for you, remind yourself of this encouragement from Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. God has been there from the start and will be there at the end. We can remember the promise that God is always with us. God cares about all the times in between and cares about what is happening in your life. God is faithful, and God is good. He is at work in your life and is bringing wholeness and completeness in ways that you may not always comprehend or can even imagine. But when we get a glimpse of this work, we can reflect and be grateful to all the ways He is sustaining us in all ways.
Amy Givens, Director of Youth Ministries
