Reach for your Ideal Future

By Mike Henry Sr.

What do you reach for? What pulls you into the future?

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Philippians 3:12-14 The Message

Most days at work, we can be tempted to reach for success defined by the people around us. Our boss demands we do our job. In a way, our job is to make our bosses successful. Often, the pressure from our manager or from our executive leaders will drive us to do things we might not otherwise do. Do you sense a temptation to focus your time and energy on being successful in your manager’s eyes?

Do you compare yourself with others? We may be tempted to try to acquire things or accumulate experiences similar to our friends or coworkers. What do you treasure?

Or, do you reach for your own comfort? When I was younger, I wanted to make all the money I could as fast as I could so I could do what I wanted to do. More money meant more freedom. My effort and my reach was for more income.

Maybe you pursue recognition? Do you strive to look smart? Does your car, home or clothing present a particular look? Do you spend energy to present an image? I catch myself tempted to manage other’s perception of me. Sometimes, I’m tempted to eat what I think I “should” eat when I’m with someone else, but I snack when no one else is looking. Am I pursuing a particular image?

When it comes to my relationship with God, who will be my friend forever, I hope my reach exceeds my grasp.* I hope I’m always forgetting what lies in my past and reaching forward to what lies ahead (from Philippians 3:13-14 NASB). I hope I’m busy being with God, doing what He would have me do.

He wants me to do a good job for my boss and coworkers. But he also wants me to pay attention to my family and there are times when he would have me serve the people around me and show them his own love.

May our God show us what he wants us to do and may we press on toward his goal for us. In the end, his goals are the only ones that matter forever.

* The thought about our reach exceeding our grasp, and much of this whole post came from Oswald Chambers, The Patience to Wait for the Vision, My Utmost for His Highest, May 2.

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