What really matters?

     As the hours tick away during a work day, we can spend a lot of time controlling....influencing what happens in order to receive the desired results of our efforts.  We set goals.....check off those tasks which were achieved and put off those which were not achieved till another day. Do all of our efforts and goal setting help us to arrive at the destination we really want......the destination of our heart's desire?  Does all of it really matter even when we achieve the last goal on our list at the end of the day? Will our heart's desire be fulfilled?

     What really matters?   If the Law of Conservation of Matter states that all matter is conserved....it is neither created nor destroyed...only changes form, then it would seem that the items on our goal list which seem to matter today may not be of concern tomorrow......because they just keep changing form.  If so....then is our goal list really that important?....Does it really matter?.....I think a goal list would matter if it is in alignment with our heart's desire.  So what is your heart's desire?  My heart's desire is to live and love confidently with a peaceful and happy soul.....through raising my family, teaching, writing, and painting. There was a time when I desired to be "Teacher of the Year", but that isn't the recognition which motivates me anymore.  I want to be successful with anything that I do.....but I desire spiritual successes.....not ones of this world, so I rely on spiritual wisdom and guidance to determine what really matters on my goal list.

     
     In 1 Chronicles 27: 17-18, King David states, "Knowing, my God, how you examine our motives and how you delight in integrity, with integrity of motive I have willingly given all this and have been overjoyed to see your people, now present here, willingly offering their gifts to you.  Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel our ancestors, watch over this for ever, shape the purpose of your people's heart and direct their hearts to you."
....So.....Is your heart's desire aligned with God's purpose for you?  I believe that you can desire to have a certain purpose in life, but if it is not aligned with God's plans, then you will continue to go around in circles till your goals lead you down the path of God's check list.  When your heart's desire is also God's purpose for you, then you will experience success and achieve your goal list.  The psalmist prayed in Psalm 20:4,  "May He grant you your heart's desire and crown all your plans with success!".  Being successful matters.  Success can bring about confidence and happiness which can lead to more successes towards God's glory.  

 

      Prayer and meditation can clue you in on God's purpose for you within your heart's desire.  He will lead you if you ask, look, and listen. Pay attention for the clues around you and in His word. His inspiration is all around.  Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (Psalm 37:3-5). Allow God to conserve what matters and transform your goal list. With your commitment to His check list, you will achieve what matters, but remember that sometimes God's wisdom may not allow you to attain certain goals which you would prefer. Trust in Him.

May I listen to God's wisdom; and trust in His guidance for what really matters.  St. Raphael, pray for me. 

St. Francis de Sales, pray for me.
St. Theresa the little flower, pray for me.
St. Peregrine, pray for my family and friends.
St. Florian, pray and protect firefighters.
St. Michael, pray and protect my family and friends.

- little petunia