The target....

Life is often so chaotic and event filled that we often lose sight of our one and only purpose and goal here on earth, which is to have a intimate relationship with god. We were created to live for him, not be the best volleyball player, be the prettiest girl, or the smartest student. No, god made us to love him with all our hearts, with all our souls and all our minds and then to share this godly love with others. In this crazy world I've created for myself, I often find my self too consumed in my life and all of my things on my to do list and don't take time to realize the bigger picture. If we live for god's purpose everything else will fall into place. He has the perfect plan for our lives and with that being the case today's word is TARGET. Target is something you reach to everyday and work towards your entire life. Not only as christians but as disciples of Christ we are called to partake in many daily activities that keep our eye on the target or the goal.
Things God has suggested we do to reach closer to his target are these:

Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).

Read God's Word daily (Acts 17:11); begin with the Gospel of John.

Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21).

Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8).

Trust God for every detail of your life
(1 Peter 5:7).

Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness (Galatians 5:16,17; Acts 1:8).

If you think about it, when we get so caught up in our daily lives, we don't go to God in prayer or read in word. We are ignorant and selfish and think that God doesn't really know how to deal with the chaos in our lives and that we are better off just handling this one ourselves. But however this thought we have is false, God has been through everything we have and will go through. He is so much more powerful and mighty that we will ever comprehend, therefore, there is no one else that can help you through your struggles than God.
‎"When I am consumed by my problems--stressed out about my life, my family, and my job--I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a "right" to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities...worry and stress reek of arrogance." -F. Chan, Crazy Love

If we fail to change our ways and continue to drift away from his and consume ourselves with out own worry he will find a way to put things into prospective. I’d rather humble myself than force God to humble me. If volleyball ever got too consuming and was not a way to honor god's glory for giving me this great opportunity to be seen by many people as a role model, god would take volleyball away. That would be his way of saying, " my child, alex, volleyball is not in my perfect plan for you and I fell that you are drifting away from me. I am standing here waiting and asking, why won't you choose me? I am longing to be loved fully. I want you to take delight in all my ways and love me with all of your being." I have to constantly remind myself, that he is almighty and powerful and will take your good things away if they become god things. I have to keep my eye on the target, and just think of everything else as a way to give glory to God and spread his word.

So tonight I pray that God helps me keep my eyes on the target, which is to live and die for his purpose and glory. Help me keep my prospective on the bigger picture of life and not get caught up in my meaningless worries and petty problems. Through prayer and my intimate relationship with you God there is nothing I can not overcome. Continue to guide me along your path, lord, and prepare my heart for my transition into college and volleyball at AU. I want to perform good to help my family but if it is not in your plan for my life God, allow me to accept that. I would love nothing more to be able to do good at volleyball so i could give my mom a break she so much deserves and I want to honor you in the process. I want my story to be shared as a testimony. I know there are plenty of kids who look up to me especially being involved in sports and just keep my mind focused on you Lord, and help me be the role model you would like me to be. Help me remember that volleyball is not my life's purpose, whether I do great or don't, you will love me just the same everyday, for eternity, and that is all i'll ever need. Amen.