Rewriting Your Broken StorySample

Day 4

False Goals and Flight Plans

Small-aircraft and charter pilots submit their flight plans to the Flight Service Station (FSS) associated with their departure airport. The FSS enters the flight plan information into their system—including the plane’s estimated time of arrival and other details.

While flying, the pilot radios in to report the plane’s position. If the pilot does not close the flight plan or communicate changes, a search and rescue procedure will be initiated, assuming the aircraft is lost.

False goals lead to being lost.

If we submit a flight plan to wisdom, reality, and spiritual fulfillment, but we instead fly a course to pleasure, recognition, fame, wealth, or power, what do we get? A fat lot of nothing. A futile pursuit. A life that is off-course and out-of-control.

If you have lived a broken story, you know these false goals always lead to disappointment. They may deliver happiness or satisfaction for a time, but it never lasts.

False goals reward with emptiness. Temporal things can’t satisfy the human heart; they leave you craving something else because they’re never enough. They’ll appoint you a god or kick you to the curb.

Scripture tells us that it’s foolishness to put our own pursuits above God’s plans for us, but most of us keep on doing it anyway. We are not autonomous, and we are fools when we believe we are. An eternal value system, on the other hand, is founded in (and remains in) reality, provides fulfillment, and leads to wisdom.

Build a flight plan around those variables and see where you land.

Have you ever lost someone dear to you and then awoken in the middle of the night remembering the sound of their voice? It can be disheartening, but it can also be encouraging. Imagine that voice is beckoning you to get your flight plans in order and your compass working so you can stay the course and join the party waiting for you in heaven. It may sound too good to be true, but we’re promised it will be good beyond our wildest imaginings (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The Good Goal

The Bible tells us that knowing God is the greatest possible pursuit; He holds in His right hand all we could ever want (Psalm 16:11).

Here are just a few of the things we have to look forward to in heaven:

• There will be no more crying or mourning. (Revelation 21:4)
• We will see “the glory of God, and its brilliance [will be] like that of a very precious jewel.” (Revelation 21:11).
• There will be no evil there or any lies. (Revelation 21:27)
• We will reign forever. (Revelation 22:5)
• Above all, we will enjoy unhindered fellowship with God. (Revelation 21:3–4)

When we go to dwell with God, our joy will no longer be fleeting. It won’t slip between our fingers. It will be a complete joy with “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

It’s hard for some of us to imagine a place where we will never be let down, disappointed, or hurt; a place where not only the negative things of life will be absent, but positive things—things of truth, goodness, and beauty—will abound. And yet, this is exactly the life and future God promises us in Jesus, if we trust Him for salvation.

Our present pain and brokenness may seem long-lasting, even overwhelming and insurmountable, but in the grand scheme of eternity, even the worst earthly suffering is brief. “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Jesus declares He is already making all things new (Revelation 21:5). Do you believe this? Most importantly, will you live by it?

Scripture Reading:

Revelation 21:1–7

1 Peter 5:10

1 Corinthians 2:9