JW subtitle extractor

The Watchtower article
upon which our comments are drawn
focuses on the value of setting goals
and also the satisfaction
that comes from reaching those goals.
The word “goal,”
as it’s used
in the Christian Greek Scriptures,
is taken from the Greek word skopos,
from which also is derived the word “scope.”
So we think of a microscope or telescope
—these are instruments that take
something that’s obscure, or indistinct,
and bring it into focus.
Similarly, a marksman will use a scope
to focus in on his target.
He doesn’t want to shoot randomly,
or haphazardly; he wants to hit his target.
So these descriptions nicely correspond
to the purpose of a goal in life,
a goal that provides direction;
it provides focus, clarity, purpose in life.
The apostle Paul knew the value of goals.
If you look at 1 Corinthians 9:26,
he says: “Therefore,
the way I am running is not aimlessly;
the way I am aiming my blows
is so as not to be striking the air.”
And if we look at the study note
on that verse,
it tells us that “a Christian
needs to direct his efforts well,
always aiming for his ultimate reward
of everlasting life.”
Well, in the matter of setting goals,
we’re really following Jehovah’s example,
because at Ephesians 3:11
there’s reference there
to “the eternal purpose
that [Jehovah] formed
in connection with the Christ.”
And again, our study note tells us
that “in this context the term ‘purpose’
refers to a specific goal, or aim”
—in this case, Jehovah’s determination
that his purpose
toward mankind and the earth
be fulfilled despite the rebellion.
Now, most of you
in our viewing or listening audience
have successfully set goals
and attained them,
and you’re really
to be commended for that.
What motivated you to set goals
to expand your ministry to Jehovah?
Perhaps it was the good example
and encouragement of family members.
This brother
is Brother George Young.
He is a pre-Gilead missionary
who, before his death
at the relatively young age of 53,
had served in at least 15 countries
on three different continents.
Now, just three weeks ago,
my wife and I had the opportunity
of meeting his great-grandson,
a construction volunteer in East Africa
who already had served
in some seven countries himself.
So you might say the apple
doesn’t fall far from the tree.
So family members can set the example
and motivate us to set spiritual goals.
Or perhaps it was another
special full-time servant
—a circuit overseer,
a Bethelite, a missionary—
who spoke glowingly
about their service to Jehovah,
and it kind of lit a fire in us.
Maybe it was encouragement
from “the faithful and discreet slave.”
This four-page insert was found
in the June 1979 Our Kingdom Ministry.
It’s entitled “Young Men, Can You Accept
This Special Privilege of Service?”
That’s why I made the goal
of Bethel service.
Or perhaps it was a talk
at one of our regional conventions.
Maybe you were in the audience
when the very frank,
thought-provoking question was posed:
“Can you explain in prayer to Jehovah
why you are not in full-time service?”
Well, that’s very pointed, isn’t it?
But it does get the wheels turning,
doesn’t it?
Or finally, maybe it was the life stories
of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
When my wife was studying the Bible,
she spent hours
thumbing through the bound volumes
in her Bible teacher’s library,
finding inspiration from those
very encouraging life experiences.
Well, all of these can stir us
to set goals in expanding our service.
It takes self-discipline
and courage to do that:
to set a particular goal
and to work toward it.
So all of you are to be commended
for the fact that you’ve done that.
Of course, we can do our part
to encourage others to do the same.
We never want to underestimate
the very powerful effect
of a simple question.
“What are you planning to do
after you get out of school?
after you retire?”
We’re really asking, “What is your goal?”
It’s certainly wise to count the cost
when we’re setting a goal.
But at the same time,
there’s a Bible principle
at Ecclesiastes 11:4.
And I’m going to read this to you
from Today’s English Version.
It says: “If you wait until the wind
and the weather are just right,
you will never plant anything
and never harvest anything.”
So sometimes
we have to muster up courage and act.
That was the experience
of Sister Malinda Keefer.
Sister Keefer,
when she was 24 years of age,
spoke with Brother C. T. Russell
about her desire
to get into the colporteur work,
but she was a little hesitant.
Why?
She said that she felt the need
to gain more knowledge first.
And you can understand
why she felt that way.
She’d just come in contact
with the publications of the Bible students
a year before.
What did Brother Russell tell her?
“If you wait until you know it all
you will never get started,
but you will learn as you go along.”
Well, that’s all she needed to hear.
She plunged into the pioneer work,
and when she passed away in 1983
at 100 years of age,
she had been in the full-time service
some 76 years.
And this is what she said:
“How thankful I am
that I offered myself willingly as a pioneer
when a young woman
and always put Kingdom interests first!”
Well, are there any pitfalls to goal-setting?
Well, could our goal be
too vague, too indistinct?
We go to Jehovah in prayer, and we say:
“Jehovah, please help me
to be a better person.
Help me to be a better servant of yours.”
Well, that’s a little general, isn’t it?
How much better
if we’re a little more specific!
“Jehovah, please help me
control my temper.
You know how I am.”
“Jehovah, help me
to avoid unclean thoughts.”
“Jehovah, help me
to cultivate contentment in my service.”
That would certainly be good.
On the other hand,
our goal could be too narrow, or confining.
“If only I can serve at Bethel,
then I’ll be happy.”
Well, the fact is,
Jehovah can make us happy
in any number of avenues
of service to him.
So can we be more open to other options
that Jehovah’s organization
may draw to our attention?
How about this question:
Are your goals privilege-based?
Paul did say at 1 Timothy 4:15
that ‘our advancement
should be plainly seen to all persons.’
But do we equate advancement
with particular privileges of service
or assignments of responsibility
—being an elder, a department overseer,
giving convention talks?
Ministerial servants,
you look forward to being appointed
as an elder, and that’s certainly good.
We want to reach out
for what 1 Timothy 3:1 calls “a fine work.”
But it’s not all about giving talks
and enjoying teaching privileges
and hearing people clap in appreciation.
No, it’s shepherding work.
It’s patiently listening
to those who are depressed.
It’s joyfully making ourselves available
at inconvenient times.
It means visiting the sick
or kindly trying to adjust the thinking
of a wrongdoer
who may resist or even resent
our sincere efforts.
No, Paul actually explains in the context
what the advancement really entails.
First Timothy chapter 4
—and look at verse number 12.
It says: “Become an example
to the faithful ones in speaking,
in conduct, in love,
in faith, in chasteness”
—so these qualities
that are so valuable to us.
Ephesians 4:13 encourages us
to be “a full-grown man,
attaining the measure of stature
that belongs to the fullness of the Christ.”
And the study note
on Ephesians 4:13 says:
“Each Christian must work
toward the goal of being mature”
—spiritually “full-grown.”
Well, Jehovah finds pleasure in us
when we make goals
that reflect our devotion to him.
May all of our goals in life
ultimately contribute
to the sanctification
of our Father Jehovah’s holy name.

Mark Scott: Pursue Goals That Honor Jehovah (1 Cor. 9:26)