The Ultimate Goal
- Cathrine Schmelzer
- Sep 30, 2024
- 2 min read
“Our ultimate goal isn’t to move past our current struggles. Our ultimate goal is to spend eternity with God.”
“...and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:4
Recently I was having a conversation with a friend about all the struggles we’re facing. Health issues, indecision about jobs, finances, and houses that are too small for our huge families… it’s all so much. I told my friend, “I’m looking forward to the day both of us can look back on this season, see the work God was doing in us, and be thankful we’re done with it.”
But in reality, even when we’re on the other side of our current struggles, we’re just going to be faced with something else. On this earth, we will always be struggling with something. Jesus himself acknowledged this truth in John 16:33. He said, “In this world you will have trouble.”
But Jesus didn’t stop there. He didn’t leave us without hope. Through His resurrection, He has given us a living hope (paraphrased from 1 Peter 1:3). In John 16:33, Jesus goes on to say, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus gave His life so that we would have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven just for us.
Our ultimate goal isn’t to move past our current struggles. Our ultimate goal is to spend eternity with God.
We are going to struggle. We’re going to face all kinds of earthly troubles. It doesn’t stop just because you fixed your health issues, got the job and salary you wanted, or finally moved into the perfect house.
I look forward to the day all of us can look back on this season, see the work God was doing in us, and be thankful we’re done with all the earthly struggles as we spend eternity with Jesus.
Action Steps:
How do we make heaven our ultimate goal? “'If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. Reflect on these questions:
Do you allow Jesus to be your Lord? The authority in your life?
Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2. Remember that your hope isn’t in anything on the earth, but the inheritance you will receive as a child of God.
If you need extra reminders of these things, write these verses down and spend today meditating on them, memorizing them, imprinting them on your heart.
Written by Cathrine, mom of 4 who would love just one more bathroom and one more bedroom