Find Your Joy in the Privileges You Have - GOALS THAT ADD TO OUR JOY

 Does focusing on our present assignments  mean that we should stop looking for ways to expand our service to Jehovah?  By no means!  We can and should set spiritual goals that help  us to keep stretching forward in our efforts to be productive in the ministry and helpful to our brothers and sisters.  We succeed when we wisely and modestly focus on serving others instead of ourselves. - PROVERBS 11:2; ACTS 20:35. 

What goals might set for yourself?  Ask Jehovah to help you discern what you can realistically hope to accomplish.  (Proverbs 16:3; James 1:5)   Could you pursue one of the goals mentioned in the first paragraph of this article-becoming an auxiliary or a regular pioneer, serving at  Bethel, or sharing in theocratic  construction projects?  Or maybe you are in a position to learn a new language in order to spread the good news or even to preach in a foreign territory. You can learn what is involved by reviewing  chapter 10 if the book Organized to Do Jehovah's Will and by talking with the elders in  your congregation.  As you  work toward such goals, your advancement will become manifest and your joy will increase.

But what if you are  presently  unable to reach one of the aforementioned goals? The key is to look for another goal, one that you can reasonably attain.  Consider the following possibilities. 

Read 1 Timothy 4:13, 15. If you are a baptized brother, you might  work on improving your speaking and teaching ability. Why?  Because  your getting "absorbed in" reading, speaking and teaching will be a blessing to your listeners.  Try setting the goal of studying and applying each speech quality discussed  in the brochure Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching. Study one quality at a time, practice diligently  at home, and endeavor to manifest  that quality in your talk assignments. Seek out suggestions from the auxiliary counselor  or other elders "who work hard in speaking and teaching." (1 Timothy 5:17)  Focus not only on understanding  the technique but also on helping your listeners to strengthen their faith or on motivating  them to take a certain course of action.  By doing so, you will enhance their joy and  theirs.

Next time: Find Your Joy in the Privileges You Have - GOALS THAT ADD TO OUR JOY

From the jw.org publications