Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
Proverbs 4:25–26 (NIV)
Our days are often hectic, and it’s easy to lose sight of our spiritual lives in the midst of all the noise. I’ve found that choosing a single, positive, spiritual goal for the day is a great way to “fix my gaze directly before me,” and find clarity and meaning even in the midst of all the busyness.
One day I decided my goal was going to be to “have a positive attitude towards others.”
As simple as that sounds, I can be a bit of a grump, especially when dealing with people in public that are, as I would interpret it, “in the way.” On my way to check the mail I encountered a neighbor of mine, and my immediate impulse was to feel annoyed at her presence and ignore her. However, remembering my goal for the day, I greeted her and we had a nice little chat that left both of us walking away smiling.
On the one hand, this is a very small thing, yet on the other, I’m surprised at the power that little goal had at bringing some joy and peace to both my neighbor’s day and mine. Coldness and irritation were replaced by warmth and peace—now that’s the spirit of Jesus at work!
So today, I’ll try selecting another simple spiritual goal for myself—
- maybe it’s a positive attitude,
- maybe it’s being more generous,
- maybe it’s having patience.
At the end of the day I’ll look back and see how something small—fixing my gaze—has made a big difference in my spiritual life.
Do you have simple goals that work for you? Please share a comment! Ed.
I like that! A simple smile at people and cheerfulness is my goal today! With all the hate and negativity that permeates our society, those simple things can shine a light.
Thank you for that reminder!
I find that I have to be even more specific — having a positive attitude is great, but I can pretend that my inner grumpiness is not noticeable and therefore it qualifies as positivity. 🙂 So, I set myself a specific action as a goal instead. One that has worked well for me is “Smile at each person you encounter.” Making eye contact, showing someone you SEE them and then giving them a smile — It’s my way of showing the Father’s love. Thanks for the reminder to fix my gaze again today.
I love this thought because it is not so big as to be unattainable or not doable. And changing the world starts with each individual changing themselves into a more Christ-like person.
Thanks for that!
Setting an intentional simple goal for the day sounds like a fantastic idea.
Tomorrow I’ll try to start with one of my favorites, walk in awareness of our Father’s love 🙂 intentionally starting the day with a goal of servitude.
I definitely need to start my days with a goal.