Session 21

Why your end goal matters

From Chasing Purpose: A 27-Day Devotional

Knowing how we want something to end affects the way we approach it from the beginning.

Losing 10 pounds in three months means making wise food choices now. Completing a project at work means coordinating with colleagues until the deadline. Raising children who love the Lord means teaching them about Jesus daily. The end is important because it changes what we do today.

Moses’ goal was to bring Israel into the Promised Land. By focusing on that mission, Moses led an entire nation out of slavery, taught them what it meant to obey God, guided them through 40 years in the wilderness, and delivered them to the land of milk and honey. Because Moses kept his eyes on the Promised Land, we still talk about how Moses lived his life for the Lord (Deuteronomy 34:10-12).

Israel’s journey took them to rest in the Promised Land. As followers of Jesus, our journey following Jesus step by step takes us to rest in the kingdom of heaven. Because of our faith in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, God invites us into His kingdom.

Knowing that heaven and hell are real means spreading the good news of salvation to as many people as possible. Keeping eternity in mind changes what we say and do today.

When people look at Christians, they should see the love of Jesus pouring out through our words, our actions, and our attitudes (2 Corinthians 5:20). Are the choices we make today helping us follow Jesus?

Reflect:

• How does your relationship with Jesus affect your end goal? If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, what’s holding you back?
  
• What is one decision you can make today to show Jesus’ love to someone else today?