Sometimes we set targets and completely and utterly miss them.
That happened to me this week. I had a target of getting 10 new children sponsored by my readers and as far as I know, I managed to achieve a figure of…
Wait for it…
Drum roll please…
ZERO new children sponsored!
Zero, none, not even one! What an epic failure!
Oh, a couple of people said they’d look into it and maybe one or two signed up to sponsor a child without telling me… maybe. So maybe the actual number is as high as four – but that’s still only 40% of my target.
Here’s the thing though: It doesn’t matter.
Sure, I set targets all the time that do matter (like earning enough in the month to pay all the bills) but very often the targets we set are not as important as we think they are. The bible tells us:
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
You see, when it comes down to it, if we’re listening to and obeying God, it doesn’t matter whether or not the outcome of what we do matches up with our expectations. God rarely tells us exactly what the outcome of obeying him will be, he simply asks for us to trust him.
It was me who came up with the goal of ten new child sponsorships, not God.
I believe it was God who prompted me to write on the issue and I did so.
I may have missed my own target but the week was still an unmitigated success because I listened to God and obeyed.
I planned my course (what outcome I wanted) but God directed my steps.
That’s all I could ever ask for and so I am satisfied.
I missed one target but hit a greater one… I obeyed God!
What success have you had this week? What targets have you hit?
Two passages of Scripture come to mind:
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8 NKJV)
You've planted seeds, Peter, as you do with every post, as I do. Like little children, we want to see the green which proves we were successful before seeds may have time to sprout. The Lord does not measure success the same way we do.
As for epic failure? A bit strong, don't you think?
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10 NKJV)
Maybe epic was a LITTLE strong 🙂 At least no-one said they would STOP sponsoring a child because of something I wrote!
Oh good, you give me a chance to say more. ;D
What makes you think you can see where the arrow landed, anyway? Is it barely possible your Father guided you as you shot—straight at the target outside your vision—and will show you later where it struck?
Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people. (Psalms 106:4 NKJV)
You are also a father. You know the favor your children have with you when they do as you've asked.
Peace!
I told you I was going to sponsor a child! It's not through one of the big organizations, but you helped me remember to talk to my pastor friend who is helping missionaries in Bangladesh. Why am I not counted? 🙂
Sorry, it was poor wording by me. You were one of the ones who I said told me they would 'look into it'.
I apologize if I offended you. I should have said that a couple of people have said the WILL sponsor a child, but none have actually be sponsored yet.
I'm eating humble pie here. Sorry Jason!
No you didn't offend me. 🙂 I was just letting you know that I wasn't just thinking about it but that it was really happening. I should get all the information soon.
You never know the ripple effects of obedience. He appointed you for bearing fruit, fruit that remains. You'll see all those results at some point even if it's not today. Blessings and thanks again!
i guess there are times when you can not be completely sure what target has been hit or how many.
i am glad that you obeyed, for that truly is hard to do …especially when we do not really see the outcome.
you did good. love to you.