Do You Know Who You Want to Be And Where You Are Going?

The Arnold Schwarzenegger birthplace in Thal bei Graz, Austria, with museum and statue commemorating his achievements in bodybuilding. "Mr. Everything," as some refer to him in fun, holds titles as Mr. Olympia Junior, Mr. International, Mr. World, Mr. Universe, and Mr. Olympia. He still has the record for being the youngest person to win the Mr. Olympia title at age 23.

FROM THE EDITOR

While visiting with and enjoying the company of the new graduates, he asked them about their plans for the future: What was on the horizon for them now that they had just graduated from college? To his astonishment, the majority of the young people to whom he spoke had no substantive answer. It was as if they had no direction or vision in their lives.

During a graduation commencement address to the class of 2020, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the legendary bodybuilder, actor, producer, and 38th governor of California, shared a growing concern he has for young people. (You can watch it here: bit.ly/3zxOSAb Commencement Address for the Class of 2020 | Politics & Issues—Arnold Schwarzenegger). During the address, he recounts an experience he had a few years ago when he had attended another graduation celebration and given their commencement address.

When asked what he wanted to do with his life, one young man appeared to be like a "deer in the headlights," said Schwarzenegger. Still, others responded with answers like, "Well, I'm hoping that

I can get some sort of a job." Nothing in particular, just "some sort of a job."

After referencing a poll that revealed 70% of people surveyed in North America don't like the current job they work, Schwarzenegger poignantly stated, "This is a tragedy." The five-time Mr. Universe, seven-time Mr. Olympia title holder, world-renowned actor, and former governor of California shared several personal stories on the importance of having a clear vision for one's life. Having an idea of who you want to be, not just what you want to be, is critical for the journey to success.

For Schwarzenegger, when he was a young man, he wanted to be Mr. Universe. It was his vision of who he wanted to become. And it was crystal clear in his mind. He explained that people would often ask him, "Arnold, why are you always so happy working out?" He said it was because of his vision. In his mind, every exercise, every curl, every deadlift, every gruelling daily routine became the steppingstones to that destination of who he was becoming: Mr. Universe.

At the age of 74, the former Mr. Universe has many other stories of accomplishments and experiences—in acting, government and politics, environmental activism, education, and even a recent challenge with a leaking heart valve. He explained he had achieved all these accomplishments by consistently applying those core principles that helped him in bodybuilding: namely, having a vision—always clearly defining who he wanted to be and where he wanted to go, then constantly keeping that vision before his mind.

Without A Vision, People Perish

The Bible says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he" (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). "Where there is no vision" means these people do not have a clear picture of who they want to be. When people don't have a clear vision of who they want to be, they perish. "But he that keepeth the law, happy is he" means that this person is clear about who he/she wants to become and is aiming for that ultimate destination within the moral framework God has designed: namely, the law. In other words, the person knows who he or she wants to be and takes the appropriate steps to become that person within the framework and harmony with God's law.

Think of that in the context of young people graduating from school with no vision or aspiration of who they want to be and where they want to go—drifting, aimless, without direction—happenstance. The Bible says they are perishing.

Now think of this in the context of not only your life but also your family, business, or church. If your family, business, or church doesn't have a clear vision of "who" it wants to be—if its members don't know who they aspire to become or are not pursuing that aim within the context of God's moral framework—you can be sure they perish.

After referencing a poll that revealed 70% of people surveyed in North America don't like the current job they work, Schwarzenegger poignantly stated, "This is a tragedy."

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Isaiah 32:8

But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.

Proverbs 19:2

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Who are you?

With all that said, who are you? Who do you want to be? How about your family? business? church?

God is calling you to be moral and glorify Him in all your endeavours—to glorify Him in "whatsoever your hand finds to do" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). However, He is waiting for you to figure out the context in which that plays out. "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness like the dawn, your justice like the noonday sun" (Psalm 37:3–6).

When you become clear on who you want to be and pursue that vision within the framework of doing so morally and to the glory of God, you can be sure you are on the path to life. God will help you achieve your desire and establish you, and you will be happy.

God is calling you to be moral and glorify Him in all your endeavours — to glorify Him in "whatsoever your hand finds to do"

(Ecclesiastes 9:10)

By Eric Ollila | Communication/IT/Media Director Alberta Conference