A New God Goal: Will You Join Me?
I have a new God goal. Let me explain. Trust me. Everyone is reading who you are, whether you are talking or not. You are sending a message at all times, whether or not you realize it. People watch you, whether you like it or not. Let me start by asking two questions.
- What is your message?
- Is it evident to others that you are a disciple of Christ?
One of my mentors, Dr. Eric Scalise with the International Christian Coaching Institute (ICCI), recently shared a story. His story inspired me, and I know it will inspire you too! While Eric was in college, he worked part-time at a grocery store. After being employed there for over a year, a gentleman who regularly delivered and stocked various brands of cookies to local grocery stores, asked Eric a question. He asked, “Are you a Christian?”
Because they had never spoken together before, Eric was unsure where the delivery man was going with the question. He slowly replied, “Yes.” The delivery man followed up with, “One of those born-again kind?” Again, Eric responded, “Yes.” And then, the delivery man gave Eric the ultimate compliment when he said, “I thought so. I’ve been watching you.”
After hearing Eric’s story, I wrote this down: “NEW GOAL: I want others to know I am a disciple of Jesus just by them watching me.” In all reality, I think this is a pretty tall order. Is it because I want others to recognize me? No! I want others to recognize Jesus in me . . . all the glory goes to Him and Him alone.
I could give you a list of many ways I will fail at this goal. However, I still feel so compelled to aspire toward it. Will I reach perfection? Nope. Do His mercies begin afresh every morning? Yep! Lamentations 3:23 says, “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Because of my failures, this promise and truth from God keep me wanting to draw closer and closer to Jesus every moment. He continues to forgive. He is gracious and merciful. When I mess up and don’t get it quite right, I get to start every single morning again.
Who we are in Christ will always speak much, much louder than who we say we are! So, when someone says to you, “There is just something different about you! And I want whatever it is that you have!” They are recognizing Christ in you. Will you join me in aspiring toward this new goal?!? Be the light so when people are watching you, THEY SEE JESUS!
Where in the World Are These Women?
I always wanted amazing, godly friends who would be there for me when life was complicated and when I needed to share my heartaches . . . friends who would lift my arms up when I needed it. I asked myself: Where in the world are these women?
I saw women who would believe for great things for one another. I would hear stories of women praying for their friends, fervently praying with their friends for something they were believing for in their lives. And I asked myself: Where do I find these friends?
I longed for a friend who would simply send me a note of encouragement for no particular reason. Maybe she just sent it because the Holy Spirit whispered to her that I needed a special gift of encouragement that day. And I asked myself: Why don’t I have this friend?
I saw others with beautiful friendships, so close, authentic, and loving. And I kept asking myself: Why don’t I have her in my life?
So, what did I do? God showed me that if I was to have these godly women, who are genuine, true friends, I had to be the friend I prayed to have. It seems pretty basic, right? Yet, was I doing this? Was I being the friend I also prayed to have? I started by praying for God to transform me into the woman who would be the wonderful friend I was looking for in my own life.
I have said before, “Don’t just surround yourself with good friends. Surround yourself with godly friends!” Quotes like this always make it sound so easy, right? The author of this quote (who happens to be me!) MUST have it all figured out. Well, not exactly. If you asked me how to live out this quote in my life years ago, my response would be, “I’m not sure.” However, I have learned a little bit over the years, and so I thought I could walk you through some questions as a starting point. Let’s begin with this one.
- What does a godly friend look like?
Life is all about relationships first. Unfortunately, we so easily get caught up in our own lives, agendas, and desires, that we often forget this simple truth. We are to love God first and then love people. “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37–39). When we look for godly friends, do we see this quality in them? Is God first in their lives? Do you see them loving others? Look for a friend who loves God first and then loves others with a 1 Corinthians 13 definition of love.
We will finish this conversation in Part II by addressing two more questions and discussing how one of our deepest desires is for genuine relationships. We must continue the venture of finding godly friends in our lives. We were created for these relationships. I can’t wait to share more with you next time.
Alita Reynolds is the Foundational Voice for Women of Faith, a 25-year ministry that has impacted millions of women around the world to live victoriously in Christ. She and her husband, GJ, now oversee and steward the organization. Alita also hosts the Women of Faith Show, is an ICCI Master Life Coach Trainer, writer, and sought-after speaker. Together, she and GJ have a goal to inspire and grow an authentic and loving community, and to see sisters in Christ lock arms and support one another. For more, see www.womenoffaith.com
