Looking Ahead

After routing Oklahoma University for its second straight national title, USC coach Pete Carroll was asked when preparation for the next season would begin. Carroll replied:

“It’s already going. We live this thing. If you’re competing, then you’re always competing. That’s just part of it ... I have people tell me, ‘Just relax.’ Don’t tell me to relax. I’m having a ... ball. We get to do this for six months, be on top of the college football world. We’ll likely have a great chance at being the No. 1 team coming into next year. Shoot, that’s awesome, awesome stuff.”

Carroll had just led his team to an undefeated championship season, yet he already had his sights set on the highest goals for the following year.

People in sports know what it means to have goals. Athletes set goals all the time with the belief that good goals will help them live up to their potential. At this time of the year, many are doing the same thing with life in general.

Some look ahead, merely wondering what the year will bring. Some look ahead without passion or vision at all. Still others look ahead in much the same way as Pete Carroll—they have a dream and want to be active in accomplishing it.

What would you like to see happen over the next year? Regardless of what this is, I encourage you to do two things: First, give it serious thought. What do you truly want to see happen? This can involve more than one answer. Second, write these things down.

Those of us who want everything that God has for us should stay focused on that goal. If you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet!