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I just read a short article on setting goals. The message got me thinking. Many of us don't like setting goals. They create fear in us: fear of failure, losing, embarrassment, setbacks, starting over, and ridicule.
Here’s what Paul says about goals in Acts 20:24 “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace..” All those who enjoy sports understand goals. When we play sports the goal is clear, defeat our opponent. In playing sports, there will always be one winner and one loser. We love winning and hate losing.
A goal of every Christian should be to serve our King well. We risk falling short of our goal. However, failure cannot be an excuse for ceasing to serve and be obedient to the Lord. Christ is the standard – he never gives up!. Serving our Lord may include building a congregation, working in missions or supporting a non-profit. All of these endeavors require goals. These goals may include growing in number and to grow in influence for the Lords Kingdom. While laudable, these goals can closely resemble the secular view of goal setting; bigger, better, more powerful. In contrast, the Lords view of goal setting requires personal character development of every believer i.e.; humility, service, selflessness. Tiger Woods was winning in skill, but losing in character. We have all heard of Christians who have done the same; build churches, missions, and non-profits, only to fall short in personal issues.
I don't like losing. I don't like failing. The fear of these can keep me from setting goals and pressing ahead. Setting goals is to ask to be evaluated and criticized, normally we do all we can to avoid that. But to “play the game” is to risk failing or losing. But to not set goals is to risk never accomplishing what we can do for the King and His Kingdom. To not set goals is like the man who ‘buried’ his gift of money for fear of losing it and receiving the anger of the boss.
Fear can keep us from receiving the blessings of the Lord and the joy of a job well done. Set no goals and we feel like we can't lose and therefore no one can evaluate our failures or shortcomings. Setting low goals shows lack of faith in the Lord. When we set Godly goals, we place ourselves in a position of obedience to the Lord through which we experience satisfaction, fulfillment, and the excitement of accomplishing something worthwhile.
Godly goals are those structured by the objectives of our Lord for His Kingdom and His plan for our lives. These are not always easy to identify. I fear many times we set goals to “model” a successful person we admire thinking this is what the Lord would have us do. Instead we should be doing our best in accordance with the gifts God has given us.
The major goal is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. And then to love others the same. Then comes the task of carrying out His great commission, making disciples and helping them grow into a mature body of believers for Jesus.
Let us not live in fear. Let us set goals that we can only reach with God's help and the power He gives us. Let's move ahead. Maybe we won't achieve all our goals. However, I remember the saying, "It is better to have tried and failed than to have never tried at all."
Let us set goals. Remember, in baseball terms, if we hit .300, we will be among the best to ever play the game. We may fail, but know that the Lord uses both our successes and failures to work His will in each of our lives.
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up each time we fail." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Together setting Godly goals to build His Kingdom,
John
