Some poll results from a few years back reveal the big goals on the minds of Generation Y. The Pew Research Center asked 18- to 25-year-olds what they felt was their generation’s most important goals in life. Eighty-one percent said that getting rich was the most important or second-most important life goal for the group. And 51 percent lifted up becoming famous as the most important thing to achieve for a Millennial.
At the risk of seeming contentious, I don’t think either of these goals should top the list of those who are believers in Jesus. They can be byproducts in our lives, but they don’t possess the right stuff to be our primary goal. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have never been the ultimate aim for Christians. The world tells us to look inward and satisfy ourselves, but the example of Jesus, in both word and deed, was one of self-sacrifice and of always putting others first.
Our most important goals in life? Jesus said, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and all your strength” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18), as recorded in the Gospels (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). All of these verses state that our goals in life should be centered on God and others, not on ourselves.
The really great news is that God provides for our every need and helps us follow and seek after Him (Matthew 6:33). It’s His power that enables us to accomplish His purposes—His plans. Our heavenly Father knows what is truly needed in our lives and His goal is to see us become more and more like Jesus. What an amazing goal from one amazing God!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 3:1-15
More:
Look at Paul’s words in Philippians 1:20-21. He was thoroughly focused on God and the risen Jesus. They meant everything to him, and his joy was complete as a result.
Next:
What are your priorities in life? Is God at the center of them? Is your joy as complete as Paul’s was?
Gary Shultz on April 13, 2015 at 6:03 am
In my somewhat biased view, the Christian has more than the Y or any generation could ever hope to have. They have a direct connection to a God that has inexhaustible wealth, forever. They are known in heavenly places, forever. And they can also live in peace knowing God holds and knows how to use all of this at the right time to make the best result, forever. My hope is, people from all generations choose the greatest wealth and fame, forever. Thanks
godlove on April 13, 2015 at 9:12 am
Thanks for this reminder on where our priorities and objectives should really lie as Christians. We usually tend to come under the pressure the world puts on us and might behave or think by the worldly standards, which dictates that the rich and famous are the happiest people. But from the light of Scripture and from the example of Jesus himself, love and humility bring a much stronger feeling of satisfaction and (more importantly) peace.
Tom Felten on April 13, 2015 at 10:12 am
Russell, I’m reminded of how Jesus lived out humility and self-sacrificial love. He, the King of all, humbled Himself and became obedient to death on a cross. May the Holy Spirit work in us and through us to display His humble ways to others!
russell fralick on April 13, 2015 at 10:51 am
Amen to that Tom. I am always encouraged by the fact that Jesus never commands us to do anything that He doesn’t also equip us to achieve. Whenever I cry out, “I can’t!” I am simply admitting that I am trying to achieve something in my flesh. Philippians 4:13 encourages me that I am able, in His strength alone, to achieve all that He has commanded me to do, including loving others as He would have us love them, and loving our God with all that we are.
Winn Collier on April 27, 2015 at 12:39 pm
Hopefully, they’ll grow out of this stage. I know one of my sons wants a limo with a hot tub in it.