Have a goal, but...

 "Give light and the darkness will disappear of itself." (Desiderius Erasmus)

You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained. Your faith has a goal, and you are reaching that goal—your salvation. (I Peter 1:8-9)

We have not seen Christ, yet we trust his coming was genuine, his undeserved grace beyond wonderful, and the hope he gives of a future spent with him throughout eternity magnificent. He walked among believers many, many years ago, and he still 'walks among us' through the power of his Spirit within us. Our faith does indeed have a goal - our ultimate salvation - eternity in his holy presence.

Without goals, we kind of drift, more or less just choosing whatever feels like it might be good for the moment. Scripture puts it this way, "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the teaching." (Proverbs 19:18) In another translation, it is put this way, "When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful." Are we listening to the voice of God? Do we merely 'hear', but not 'obey'? Goals involve not only plans, but execution!

Wherever darkness has invaded a life, causing one's life to 'mirror' that of this world so closely that it is hard to tell if Christ dwells in that man's heart, light is needed. The more 'light' we get into our lives, the less room there is for darkness of any kind to dwell. Light comes from the word of God, his Spirit's guidance in our lives, and the testimony of those who also walk in the light. We may look for light in all different ways, but there is only one true source of life-giving light - Christ Jesus.

Love God with all your heart and you will actually yearn for his guidance - you will not be content to wander this earth without it. That discontent drives you into his word, compelling you to soak it in, then it helps you to embrace it and act upon it. Goals are always good, but execution is best. Salvation isn't a stagnant thing - it is a growing, developing thing. Allow his grace to grow the seed that was planted in your heart, and you will see darkness soon pushed away from you. Just sayin!