LINE IN THE SAND
It’s important for us to set goals and boundaries for ourselves. As our seasons change and we mature (hopefully), we should be re-establishing that hypothetical line in the sand to challenge us beyond the status quo. Some people are content with coasting through life and just wingin’ it for everything. Some people are so goal oriented that they forget to enjoy the journey. What category do you fall into?
The Bible sets certain perimeters for those of us that believe/follow Jesus Christ. Some people never really get much further than believing in Jesus Christ (even the demons believed). Some people take it to the extreme and get so legalistic that they are essentially ineffective in reaching others. As you grow in your relationship with Christ and your knowledge of the Bible, you should be establishing your lines in the sand for various areas. Don’t make those goals so small that you allow yourself too much wiggle room and massively stumble but also don’t make those goals so large that you get discouraged in your efforts to reach them.
In my experience as a goal oriented Christian, I find that each time I reach a goal and think “I have arrived”, God reveals to me the next step on the ladder and re-establishes my line for me. Although it can seem discouraging to reset after working so hard for a goal, I am also grateful that God has chosen to reveal these stepping stones to me in each season so I’m not completely overwhelmed. I truly believe that God won’t give you more than you can handle.
It’s alright to occasionally increase your line in the sand to more aggressive goals as you prove faithful. The ideal situation is to eventually be past the “status quo” line and into the “safe zone” line so if/when you have an occasionally stumble, you don’t find yourself back at the starting line.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 - 23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”-but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.