Halfway There?

Ambitious goals set at the beginning of the year languish somewhere between well executed and “did I say that?” I suspect the well-executed are in the vast minority.

Some of us who made resolutions or set priorities are looking at this midyear point and assessing our progress. There are things I have not come anywhere close to accomplishing. However, there are others—thanks to the grace of God—that I’m ahead of schedule.

Per the adage, If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans, I have probably evoked more than a chuckle or two. The issue with setting goals is that when we don’t accomplish them in the amount of time we consider reasonable, we can become filled with regret and defeat.

Yet, God’s timing isn’t our timing. “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night,” Psalm 90:4 NKJV

Our perception of time is unlike our Father’s. Consequently, I’ve slowly learned patience through the years. I also learned that we are often closer to reaching our goals than we perceive. We tend to focus on our faults, but our Father is pleased by our faith when we press toward those things He set in our hearts. Our limited vision often falls far short of the larger picture that is God’s viewpoint.

I challenge you not to regret what you have yet to accomplish but instead be grateful for whatever progress you have made. Gratitude is often a catalyst for change. In those seasons when we struggle to stay sane and keep it together, survival is also worthy of celebration.

Don’t grow weary, stay the course. Whatever we need, God will provide.

In His time.