What’s your approach to life?

Some treat life a lot like a “Sunday drive” and their philosophy of life sounds something like this, “Hey, let’s just go, and we’ll see where we end up.”

Are you content to simply let life take you wherever it wants to go?

I’m no scientist, but I’ve noticed that gravity tends to pull everything downward. Without some type of planning and direction, life can do the same thing – go down hill!

There are four different types of people who travel the road of life. First, there is “Vince the Victim.” Vince is quick to tell you that it’s not his fault that he isn’t getting anywhere in life. In his opinion, everyone and everything (other than himself!) has made him who he is today – a “victim of life’s circumstances.”

Next, there is “Foot-Dragging Freddie.” Freddie isn’t worried too much about the past, and he doesn’t want to think about the future. He loves the present so much that he’s willing to do anything to maintain the “status quo.” If he’s making any plans, he’s planning to keep things just the way they are.

Then there is “Debbie the Dreamer.” Debbie loves to plan, and she spends a lot of her time doing that. The problem is that she never turns her plans into action. She has great ideas and wants to be successful, but she’s not willing to take any risks or to pay the price to move forward on the road of life.

Finally, there is “Michael the Motivated.” Michael focuses the majority of his time on the present, doing his best to maximize his God-given potential. One reason he’s so effective today is because he spent a portion of his time yesterday planning for today! As a result, he’s focused on his purpose, he’s growing toward his God-given potential, and he’s sowing seeds that benefit others out of the positive overflow of his life.

What separates “Motivated Michael” from all the rest?

The answer is plain and simple. “Motivated Michael” has goals! He has identified what he wants to accomplish to fulfill his God-given purpose and to maximize his potential. On the road of life, the goals you set become your “road map.”

Pulitzer Prize writer, Katherine Anne Porter, says, “I’m appalled at the aimlessness of most people’s lives. 50% don’t pay any attention to where they are going; 40% are undecided and will go in any direction. Only 10% know what they want, and even all of them don’t go toward it.”

God doesn’t want life to simply “happen to you.” He wants you to make life happen!

“The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy,” warns Jesus, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

(Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.)