I’m solidly in mid-life. It’s nice to realize that I’m still learning things about myself. One of the things I’m realizing about me is how much I like hitting a goal. I think that kinda hid from be for a while because I’m not overly competitive. I’m usually just as happy to let you win, as to win myself.
For a while my joy in goals, hid behind the notion that goal setting was just how people got work done. Live everybody really should be setting goals. Goal setting was presented as the way that productive folk stay productive.
I’m learning that goal setting is a great way, mostly for me to feel good about myself. There are lots of ways to stay productive, but setting a goal and reaching it has a lasting effect for me. I like feeling like I succeeded. It almost doesn’t matter the size of the success. Big and small successes hit almost the same for me.
After Jesus’ resurrection, there’s a conversation he has with Peter where he gives him a clear job to do, “feed my sheep” then prepped him for his old-age and death. Later in that conversation he implies that John may just not have to put up with death.
It’s a kind of funny exchange between Jesus and his friends. Of course both John and Peter go on to serve the church until their death, but I like the idea that Jesus knew how to encourage them toward that work. It’s kind of like when he allows Thomas to touch his wounds before be believes, even while acknowledging so many folks will believe without that benefit.
I guess I’m saying today, don’t consider that your dynamic with the God has to look like anyone else’s. God values you enough to connect with you uniquely. Lean in and keep learning about God…and yourself.