Eye on the Goal

My son Bink has a 4 year old labrador retriever named Sarge. This big lovable black dog would fetch a ball from morning 'til night if someone had enough energy to keep throwing it. He lives to do what he was created to do... retrieve.

My daughter Emmy has a 7 month old cairn terrier named Juliet. This little energetic white puppy loves to pull, tug, chase and chew. But because her best friend is Sarge, she too has learned to retrieve, something very uncharacteristic of a terrier. So when any one of us throws a ball, Sarge races after it, Juliet pursues Sarge, and then both return in full speed to the thrower... back and forth, back and forth they go.

Recently, however, Juliet has added a new dimension to the game. While Sarge is running with the ball in his mouth, Juliet begins to nip at his heels. This distraction, of course, frustrates Sarge to no end, which results in him often dropping the ball before he gets to his final destination. Nip, nip, nip, drop, drop, drop. In the midst of this "game", we now have to encourage Sarge to keep his eye on the goal (instead of the little nuisance beside him).

I think sometimes "my call" can resemble this picture of Sarge and Juliet. Can you relate? Is there something you know that God has asked you to do... that He has created you to do? And in the beginning of this project or mission, joy and energy and excitement are overflowing; but then, little distractions pop up in your path, and other frustrations "nip at your heels" while you pursue the work God asked you to do. Let me encourage you to keep your eye on the goal set before you. If God has asked you to do something, He will be faithful until the task is complete. Please listen to only three of many verses that I hope will help you "pick that ball back up", and reach your final destination:

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. (Pr. 4:25)

But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps. (I Peter 2:20-21)

...Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God...is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. (I Chronicles 28:20)

So my friend, keep your eye on the goal; trust Christ with each and every step, and through each and every obstacle that may come your way. He promises to complete the good work that He began in you.

(Meanwhile, I have to go apologize to Emmy for the not-so-good-work of calling her puppy a "little nuisance"...)