Where are you going?

It really is a simple question….

It can also require some serious introspection into where you currently are and what you are doing with your life. It will cause you to start taking inventory of your education, finances, relational investments, community responsibilities……church membership even. It will even make you take a long, hard look at yourself in the mirror.

Maybe it’s not such a simple question after all!

While it may not be a simple question…it may be one of those life changing moments that you will look back on and see the difference it made! Hopefully you have considered it before today. I want to take this weeks message and ask you a series of questions to help jumpstart some self-discovery regarding where we are on the journey to becoming who we want to be.

Let me preface this with an explanation. If you get the opportunity to speak to a doctor, lawyer, or CEO you will quickly find that these individuals had to pass through a process in order to be QUALIFIED for their title!

In order to practice the profession…you must EARN the title!

An attorney, for example must attend college, law school, pass the BAR exam, and once licensed….can then start practicing law...in their particular state.

A surgeon must also attend college, pass the MCAT’s, complete medical school, complete a residency, and then…..be given the opportunity to practice their craft. (These are the preliminary steps in the respective processes, btw).

So, with that being said, I would like to ask each of you several questions:

– Who are you today? Right now? What defines your life occupationally? Personally?

– Who are you supervised by? Does your supervising parent or guardian know your goals?

-What are you doing today for an occupation? Is their a future in this occupation?

-Where do you want to be in 6 months?

-Where do you want to be in 1 year?

-Where do you want to be in 2 years?

-Where do you want to be in 5 years?

-What is your goal occupation? Job title? Geographic location for your goal occupation?

-How much will your goal take financially? TIME? Relationally?

Carefully consider each of these questions! Write them down and look at them over the course of the week. Let each question settle on your conscious. Really think about them.

The answers to your questions are limitless. The opportunities that are available to you are only limited by your imagination.

So, I’m going to give you an example of how the questions can be answered if you wanted to be a……………….

College Football Coach.

– Who are you today? Right now? What defines your life occupationally? Personally?

College student. Taking 15 hours. Steady girlfriend and part-time job at the University.

– Who are you supervised by? Does your supervising parent or guardian know your goals?

Parents. Professors. Campus Pastor. Accountability Men’s Group at Church. Some know my goals. Some don’t.

-What are you doing today for an occupation? Is their a future in this occupation?

Part-time job at the University. No future except for connections and networking at the school.

-Where do you want to be in 6 months?

Preparing to graduate with my undergraduate degree. BE ACCEPTED BY 3 GRADUATE SCHOOL PROGRAMS WITH FUNDING AS A GRADUATE ASSISTANT WITH A FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

-Where do you want to be in 1 year?

HALFWAY THROUGH MY FIRST YEAR OF GRAD SCHOOL AND IN MY FIRST SEASON AS A GRADUATE ASSISTANT FOR THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

-Where do you want to be in 2 years?

FINISHING A MASTERS DEGREE AND INTERVIEWING FOR FULL TIME POSITIONS AT COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

-Where do you want to be in 5 years?

WORKING AS A OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR AT A DIVISION I OR DIVISION IAA INSTITUTION.

-What is your goal occupation? Job title? Geographic location for your goal occupation?

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT AN SEC SCHOOL.

-How much will your goal take financially? TIME? Relationally?

Financially: Possibly volunteer at one or more schools until I am hired as a full time coach.

Time: 5-10 years with NO GUARANTEES!

Relationally: Most relationships will need to understand my commitment and the time requirements of the occupation.

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Ok…OK…OK…take a deep breath! You are in total control here! It’s just time to start working toward the goal! I know it can be either overwhelming or absolutely motivating.

One thing that I always think about when I get overwhelmed with my process is the journey itself. I just frustrated just as much, if not more, than everyone else. But I want you to think about something.

The bible is full of miracles. Leper’s cleansed. Sarah conceived. David beat Goliath. Jonathan deciding to climb that cliff. The Red Sea parting. I could go on and on here. However, I want you to think about something. Jesus was so driven about his role that he reminded HIS DISCIPLES constantly of what He was there for. Jesus is the Son of God! The man! The beginning and the End! He is JESUS for crying out loud! And even though He is the Great I Am….

Jesus had to look at His friends in the eye and say,

“Hey, this is where I’m going! This is my goal! Anything other than the GOAL is Unacceptable!”

The following is an exact excerpt from the ESV:

English Standard Version
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Jesus knew His destiny! He had answered His questions and that was HIS Destiny and HIS Destination!

Did He has distractions? ……There were…..ATTEMPTS!

Please understand that your dedication to your goal will be tested! You must have an idea of who and where you are if you are going to get to the finish line!