| I recently had the opportunity to interview | | | | but God's. How we treat our family is with |
| Lance Armstrong's trainer, Chris Carmichael. | | | | God's kingdom in mind. And how make all of |
| As you may know, Lance is the seven-time | | | | our decisions is guided by how well they help |
| winner of the grueling Tour de France bike | | | | us reach the ultimate goal. |
| race. What Chris saw in Lance during his | | | | |
| training may change the way you view your | | | | Let me give you an example. A job opportunity |
| life. | | | | can create problems within a marriage. When |
| | | | you evaluate a job opportunity with your own |
| Chris Carmichael has raced in the Tour de | | | | goals in mind, it can cause arguments and |
| France and the Olympics, so he knows what it | | | | separation between spouses. But when you and |
| takes to win. When I asked him what made | | | | your spouse have God and His kingdom as your |
| Lance different from other athletes he has | | | | sole goal, the individual goals are tossed |
| trained, here's what he said: "The difference | | | | out the window. All of a sudden, you and your |
| in Lance is that he gave 100% to reach his | | | | spouse are evaluating the move based on how |
| goal. Every other athlete I've trained gave a | | | | it serves God and builds His kingdom. You're |
| lot, usually 99% or 99.9%. That's why they | | | | working together to accomplish the same goal. |
| were elite athletes. But none of them gave | | | | |
| 100%. Lance gave it all. That's what made him | | | | The husband's promotion and the wife's |
| a champion." | | | | comfort are given up to reach a decision |
| | | | based on a far more important goal. And best |
| Christians can learn a lot from this. How | | | | of all, this is a goal you can devote |
| many of us give 100% to reach a goal? Not | | | | yourself to wholeheartedly. There's no need |
| many. Most of us are pretty confused about | | | | to have any reservation about the decision |
| what goals we should have. We know serving | | | | you make. You can move forward without any |
| God is important. We also know we need to | | | | confusion. And you can move forward with |
| take care of our family. And we want to do | | | | complete confidence in God's direction and |
| well in our work. For most Christians, the | | | | provision. |
| division keeps us from giving 100% to | | | | |
| anything. | | | | Yes, you can still make wrong decisions. But |
| | | | you can also trust that God will use such an |
| But God has a solution for that confusion. He | | | | experience to His glory and to your good |
| wants us to be 100% devoted to Him. As I've | | | | (Romans 8:28). Instead of blaming your spouse |
| said before, He is our priority. Serving and | | | | for a bad decision, you can look at each |
| glorifying Him is our goal. Everything we do | | | | other and know that God is using what |
| should be completely geared toward God and | | | | happened to fulfill His purposes. You can |
| building His kingdom. Once we get that right, | | | | rest in God. That's where you'll find |
| everything else will fall into place. | | | | success. That's where you'll find peace. |
| | | | |
| Having total devotion to God will make us | | | | Best of all, it's a goal you can be |
| realize that it's not our goals that matter. | | | | completely, 100% devoted to without any |
| In fact, any goals we do set should be | | | | reservation whatsoever. And there's no guilt |
| stepping-stones to this ultimate goal. Goals | | | | over other neglected responsibilities. |
| at work are accomplished not for our glory, | | | | |