“And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” –Luke 12:18–19, KJV
Everyone has a goal in life. Goals can be commendable and bring satisfaction of a job well done, but with the knowledge that our life is not our own. This includes our childhood as we study and prepare for our life’s work, marriage, and raising a family. We need to view all of life as unto the Lord. All that we have here in the world is a gift from God to use to his glory.
“If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” –Luke 12:28–31
As we work and prepare for our life in this world, we must remember the most important need that we have. We must work and provide for our families, but as we do so realizing our greatest need.
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:41–42
It is not sin to provide and do well for your family in the world, but God must receive the glory for our success, for he said,
“Without me ye can do nothing.” –John 15:5b
As we come to the end of another year and look back on the many goals we set for ourselves, they may or may not have been realized. The question is, would our lives have been different if they could have? Would that have been for our good? More than likely not, but one thing we do know: God has spared our forfeited lives. Why?
“He [Jesus] spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” –Luke 13:6–9
We need to be born again, to be reconciled to our Creator, and to be restored into communion and to glorify him. The God who gave us life has also set a time for our death.
“My times are in thy hand.” –Psalm 31:15a
This makes all the goals we set here secondary so that even if we would reach every goal we set with but have no thought of eternity we would lose everything in the end. Life is short; eternity is never ending. Today is all that we have; tomorrow is too late. Jesus said,
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” –John 10:27–28
Mr. Cornelius VanKempen known as Case, has been married to Susan for fifty-four blessed years. They attend and are members of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI.