“In our natural life our ambitions are our own. In the Christian life we have no aim of our own, and God’s aim looks like missing the mark because we are too short-sighted to see what He is aiming at.” (Oswald Chambers 1874–1917)

Can you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? And perhaps what is more important, did you become that person? As a young man, my burning ambition was to become a concert pianist. I had a great love of classical music, particularly the popular piano concertos, and because my ambition was so strong I may have succeeded, given the chance. But the opportunity was not mine to have. My two sisters were forced to endure piano lessons (they never played again), but my parents did not consider that it was appropriate for boys to learn (sob,sob ).

Do I have any regrets? Not really, other than a momentary thought of what might have been when I hear a CD or attend a concert. I take the attitude that if I had followed that career path then I would not be doing what I am doing now. The influences in my life would be so different, certainly far less than perfect, and what would my Christian walk be like, if indeed I had one? “Every man’s life is a plan of God” (Horace Bushnell 1802–1876).

It is true that when we are young we are too short-sighted to see where God is pointing us. I know many in their later years who still do not see that destination or do not want to see it if that differs from their own objective and they do ‘miss the mark’. Recently I was invited to present my testimony at two church services; it was a message of obedience to God’s call, but it wasn’t without its times of indecision whilst aiming for that mark.

It is very much a case of ‘let go, let God’. Proverbs 16:9 says: “You may make your plans, but God directs your actions” (GNB). Proverbs are not to be confused with promises. While promises are statements that God guarantees, proverbs only state what generally happens. Proverbs do not necessarily guarantee that in every case the supposed result of an action will follow. Life is complex and the proverb is not. In saying that God directs our actions we must remember that we are allowed choice, a choice governed by our desire for independent thought. It is that choice based on independent thought – a shortsightedness – that can cause us to miss the mark.

If today I was a concert pianist, would I be writing ‘Word for the Week’? Very unlikely. If today I was travelling the world’s concert halls, would I be following the same Christian path as I do now or would I be attempting to squeeze that walk between airport lounges and grand pianos? Who but God knows. It is sad to see people wallowing in self-pity because they feel that life has dealt them a raw deal as they see their youthful ambitions fade. They have not ‘let go, and let God’.

As for me, I wouldn’t change a minute of it. As I write this I can slip a CD into the computer drive and listen to a favourite piano concerto. The artist is probably better than I could have been and God’s aim is surer.

Have a good week. May it be all that you hope and pray for. Don’t miss your mark, let go and let God. (Optional Bible reading: 2 Timothy 2:14-26)

Pastor Ron

This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement, now in its twenty-fourth year, originating from Gympie, Fraser Coast, Queensland, Australia. A companion Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe via email send to w4w2@bigpond.com with the words ‘Subscribe Word (or) Subscribe Word & Study’. Our ministry is free and emailing lists are confidential. Tell a friend or why not put a note in your church newsletter or pew sheet about this ministry – we welcome new subscriptions.

Pastor Ron Clarke OAM
Word for the Week
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