One of the important decisions in life is to choose how we frame our life. Because our focus leads us to choose the elements that will define and refine us. Do we frame the troubles and disastrous elements of our lives? Or do we frame the grace of God and joys of the Lord? The choice is ours. Do we want the troubles and hardships to define us? Or do we let God define us?

Living in grace does not mean that we would sit back and do nothing. Quite the opposite! But because we don’t have to do anything to earn our salvation we are free to listen to God what he would like to do through us. We are free to linger in God’s presence and let him refine us according to his plans.

Setting goals is a little different for Christians than for people who frame their lives around something else than God. The first step in setting goals is surrendering. That’s why so many stay away from following Christ. Because we need to check our own will at the door. But we are not supposed to check our brain at the door! We are not supposed to check our heart at the door! Just our will and all the masks we are wearing. Because we need our heart and mind to serve the Lord and discern and achieve the goals God has for us.

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. (Matthew 22:37, MSG)

God wants us to become what he has created us to be. That means we need to be true to ourselves. We need to check all the masks at the door. There is no room for pretending to be anything else we are. Because we are valued, loved and cherished just as we are. This is a good place to start asking what God has in mind for us. When we take God and his love for us seriously we frame our life well. We let God define and refine us according to his plans.

There is no instant formula to discern your calling in life. But there is a proven way to walk into the right direction: following Jesus. God will guide us when we live in prayer. Bill Noffke has said: “Run after God with all your heart. Then follow your heart.” We are called to embrace God with all our heart, mind, and soul. Our calling will put everything we have into great use. Like Frederick Buechner has stated: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

Gracious God,
Thank you for
creating us,
cherishing us,
defining us.
Guide us by
refining us,
equipping us,
blessing us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you continue your faith journey! God is with you and he will guide you step-by-step!

Q4U: How has getting the frame right helped you to discern your goals?

This post is part of One Word at a Time: GOALS Blog Carnival. Check out the other posts on goals!

Photo courtesy of Marian Trinidad