SOUNDING OUT:
Goal Setting
January has traditionally been for me a time to reflect and set goals for the upcoming year. However, this year I have taken a step back and reevaluated whether or not I wanted to do that. I know the value of goal setting and have taught it on many occasions. After all, if we have NO WHERE to go we will get there, every time.
Maybe it’s just to break with my routine. Maybe it’s because I don’t know where I want to go this year. Maybe I’m just too lazy. I don’t know the reason, but I know I won’t be writing out specific goals for this year. However, don’t let me discourage you if you want to. Please allow me to make a few suggestions if you do plan on setting some new year goals.
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Make goals that you are realistically capable of accomplishing.
- Make goals which will incorporate qualities of life from God’s Word into your life. (The fruit of the spirit might be an interesting place to start.)
- Don’t look at shortcomings or failures of the past, but think of yourselves as God thinks of you. (It’s God’s grace, not our works that will effect lasting change.)
The only thing that brought us this far is God’s grace. Paul recognized its importance in his life.
I Corinthians 15:10:
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me
God’s mercy and compassion is always available and extended to us by His unconditional love.
Lamentations 3:22,23:
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
“They are new every morning” is a figure of speech meaning “they are always and continually new.” [FOS p. 656] It is always available to start fresh, to put the past behind, and move on with God. Great is His faithfulness to His Word and to us His children to whom He gave it. Do you know how He thinks of you?
Jeremiah 29:11-13:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
What do we expect at God’s hand? Blessing or beating? Grace or grief. Comfort or calamity? God committed His Word to us, along with a ministry of reconciliation
(II Corinthians 5:18,19). Let’s simply rise and take God at His Word. Whatever you choose to do with and for God, do it with all of your heart. It is never profitable to do anything in life half-heartedly. God certainly deserves the best we have to give from a freewill, loving heart.
So let’s all live the greatness of God’s Word in our lives and be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. God is able to do exceeding, abundantly, above all that we ask or think. Let’s not limit Him. Let’s not substitute our “expected end” for His. Remember Philipians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthenth me!” So whatever goals you set for yourself, be sure you set yourself in the hallow of His hands. |
