What are you dreams/goals in your life?

Of course what a Christian does in this life matters. We should dream and be intentional. With a Christian worldview of eternal life though I struggle making logical sense of the cultures -bucket list thing. Going on this frantic pace to experience all these experiences before we die. The funny part is most of culture is so stressed about capturing the moment with their smartphones to show their friends are they really there enjoying and taking in the moment? I had this happen before. I went on some vacation and a person asked me how it went. I said good, let me show you. The guy goes you don’t have to show me, just explain what was so good? I was left speechless. I spent so much time and energy capturing the memorable things on phone my mind could not recall anything specific without the picture or video prompting me. it was a wake up call to at least slow down and put the phone away.
We’re assured in scripture that at the end we’re not going to miss out, that we get it all back. That the former things won’t be remembered. Experiences are nice but should a Christ follower really put so much pressure on themselves as the world does to “get it while you can” aren’t we supposed to rest in the fact at the end it all comes back 100times more?

Former things won't be remembered? Where does the Bible say that?

If I got to Heaven and had no stories to tell, and none of my friends had any stories either...

Yeah I think I can see people, even devout Christians, wanting to see some things before they go.

I think you misunderstand my statement. My point is not heaven. I think we will have great memories in heaven and the bad memories will be overshadowed by the new life in some way. I think though we have 10x10,000 years plus eternity to live and make memories in the afterlife as well with all it has to offer. I’m addressing the current worlds bucket list and the worlds frantic attitude towards it. I’ve got nothing against experiences. I have my share of them that I’m leaning to slow down and actually enjoy but the pace and attitude in which we tend to view them though I question,it’s this godless “get it while you can” scarcity mindset I’m even guilty of. We are assured today
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Meaning we’re supposed to have our minds set on the eternal today not some future event.
We know that
“Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do we live our daily life and vacation life with this eternal mindset or are we so worried about capturing the moment for others to see we can’t draw on it with fond memories of the moment. Itinerary vacations drive nuts for this reason.


“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Just because I'm gonna make a cheesecake two weeks from now doesn't mean I'm gonna pass up this piece of dark chocolate.

Yeah, some people get WAY into their bucket list and trying desperately to make everything on the list happen now. That doesn't mean bucket lists are inherently wasteful. I got a few things of my own to do before I die. I'm not dead-set on them, and will not consider my life a failure if they don't happen, but I got a few things.

And that ok, nothing wrong with it in that aspect. I just know where I’ve been and what drove me to do bucket list things in the past. I’ve seen what individuals around me tend to do with vacations as well and it was a point of repentance of my unbelief in the hereinafter for me personally.

Ah, it's personal.

Now I'm curious... What was on your list, and why were you so intent on it?

No worries if you don't want to answer. I'm just being nosy... er, curious. Just curious. Sounds better than nosy.

Eh, I think it's worthy to have worldly goals, just not worldly goals -- as long as these otherwise permissible activities are not interfering with your Christian walk.

Hope to adopt some day since I can't get pregnant

You will be a great mother, Beth. There are a lot of children out there who need good parents.

Might want to check out being a foster parent, too.

Thanks

What are your dreams/goals in your life, that you have either put on hold or haven't realized yet, and wish to pursue in the future? You may list any dreams/goals you want, however major or less "serious". Also, keep in mind that some dreams are more up to God, whereas others are more within our control and it is more a matter of getting off our bottoms.

One dream I have is to raise a kitten/puppy into very elderly age. The animals I have had were adopted at an older age or did not live their full lives.

Another dream is to improve my swimming.

I am not trying to be funny, sarcastic, or anything but honest in my reply.

Basically, I awoke from my dream state a long time ago. In other words, I came to the conclusion or understanding, after evaluating how God had continually been working in my life, that my sole purpose is to serve him in whatever way he chooses. Although I am not sure exactly what he wants me to do in relation to others, he does continually show me areas where I need to improve myself, so I just keep working on those. In his parable about the vine and the branches, Jesus said that the Father purges or prunes the branches which are abiding in Christ that they might produce more fruit. Presently, I am definitely getting pruned.

In summary, I really do not have any dreams anymore. I am not trying to sound super spiritual or anything; especially in that I just admitted that I do not even know what to do at the moment except to work on myself. Like I said, I am just being honest.

I feel similarly, I am retired and have no specific dreams.

What are some of your items on the Christian bucket list?

One specific Christian bucket list item for me is singing in a church choir, especially during Christmas.

I've been training my voice blending in with awesome vocalists like Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers), Jackson Browne, Glen Frey and Don Henley (Eagles). I'm not a soloist for sure, but I do enjoy harmonizing with great singers.

And ultimately, I want to sing in the heavenly choir forever!