In 1998 both Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire fulfilled their goals in breaking the previous records for home run hits in a single baseball season. Roger Maris beat Babe Ruth's record and held it for 37 years with 61 home runs. Last year Sosa topped that by 5, with 66, and McGwire, by 9 with an astounding 70.

All the articles and interviews with McGwire's coaches and teammates seem to indicate three dominant factors contributing to his success in accomplishing his goal: a dauntless discipline to steward his talent, an ability to focus on the important task at hand, and a constant attitude of gratitude. He loves the game.

McGwire's teammates commented that he rarely broke from his pre-game work-out of stretches, warm-up exercises and batting practices. Despite requests for interviews and special meetings, he would not be moved from his allegiance to these fundamental routines. He was determined to pay the price to be at his best, and made these practices his personal priority.

McGwire's coaches pointed out that he had an ability to intensely focus on one thing at a time. For example, while lifting weights he didn't worry about what was happening around him or what was scheduled to happen next. The task at hand got his total attention. Perhaps it was this practiced ability to fully concentrate that enabled him to keep his eye on the ball and perfectly connect with it as it came over the plate while flashbulbs popped and a stadium full of fans cheered wildly.

Topping off these success-winning characteristics, McGwire says he remains grateful for the privilege of being able to play the game. This thankfulness permeates all his everyday activities.

These three winning habits are applicable for successfully connecting with our life goals.  Life is not a game. We have a God-given objective to accomplish something that makes life worth living. We have a purpose that transcends the ball field of time and space.  It is the eternal priority of 'winning Christ'. The Apostle Paul said, "Everything is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him." (Philippians 3:8 NLB).

He expounds his goal by saying: "I want to know (in an intimate and authentic relationship) Christ and the power of his resurrection (upon which I will be totally dependent) and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (that is, being 'sold out' to the will of the Father in a consistent loving expenditure for others, no longer trusting in my own abilities) and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10). His goal, therefore, is to become fully mature, to become so like Christ that there is no margin of difference between what the risen Christ wills to do and the full accomplishment of that will, through him. To 'attain the resurrection of the dead', means to manifest in our experience all that is at our disposal of the wisdom, presence, purpose and power of the Risen Christ.

Paul then confesses that spiritual maturity is a moving target: "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am FOCUSING ALL MY ENERGIES ON THIS ONE THING: Forgetting the past, and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven." (Philippians 3:12-14).

How is it with you? Spiritual maturity is a two winged bird, requiring DEPENDENCE AND DISCIPLINE, to get off the ground. We can do nothing out from our own selves, but must continually abide in Christ, trusting in the rich resources of His life. But we also need the ongoing DAILY DISCIPLINE of mental renewal (through adopting the Word of God as our practical frame of reference) prayer, meditation and offering to God our fresh obedience to His commands. We must be exercised in the mind of Christ, the love of Christ and the gifts of His Spirit. What are the daily activities that will help you to steward the responsibilities, the relationships, the ministries, gifts and talents God has given you? Make them a personal priority.

The Christian life also involves INTENSE FOCUS on the task at hand. The enemy of our souls is actively attempting to distract us from living our lives fully for the glory of God. At the end of the day, may it be said that we gave each God-given assignment our best shot.

Finally, an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE should pervade all. God loves you and wants you to fully embrace each opportunity to know Him better. "Be joyful always (This life is too short to spend down in the dumps!) pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).

Keeping at it,