By Calvin and Lisa Wulf

       "For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever! Amen."  Romans 11:36 (NIV)

     "I always wanted to do something that counts.  Achieve great things.  Make my mark.  Stand out from the crowd," he laments.  "I’ve worked so hard but the satisfaction I thought I’d get from achievement just runs through my fingers."

     "Well, what do you want?" his friend ponders thoughtfully.

     "I don’t know but this isn’t it."

     We’re a nation of over-achievers.  We want rewards.  We want recognition.  We want to be the best.  "A cut above" and "keeping the edge" are always on our lips.  Every day we push just a little harder on the treadmill of accomplishment.  But somehow going from "victory to victory" isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

     Sooner or later our trophies aren’t enough.  The glitter loses its glow.  The people we want to impress aren’t among the admiring fans hanging around our winner's circle.  What have we really gained by pouring ourselves into the sacrifice of achievement?

     Let’s check our motives.  Do we want the outside world to embrace us?  Or do we just want our inside world to feel a little less empty?  Either way, it’s time to check the compass.  What direction are we facing?  There are only two choices – toward God or away from him.

     The issue isn’t what we’re doing but why.  God has a plan for us.  So our job is to do what he asks and do it only for him.  At the end of the day our to-do list will read, "Done to the glory of God."

     Having trouble with your compass?  Try these tips:

·         Evaluate your accomplishments.  What are you gaining through achievement?

·         Measure your contentment.  Is there still a void in your heart?

·         Check your direction.  Are you following your master plan or the Master Planner?

     Reaching for the greater things is a noble goal.  The real challenge is facing the right direction.  So don’t get side-tracked on the detour of worldly achievement.  Set your compass on "G" for God instead.

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living.  Check them out at www.livingforgod.net, http://blog.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

Copyright 2009 Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf