In all areas of my life these days, I’m being asked/challenged/dared to set some goals. Maybe it’s because this year is quickly coming to a close. Or maybe it’s because God is wanting to help me be a little more purposeful so that I don’t … mindlessly leave a child at Chick-fil-a. Or something. But whatever the reason, I’ve been thinking more and more about goal-setting.
It’s true. The choices we make today absolutely affect the person we become tomorrow. So it’s wise to think through and set goals for our future — goals in motherhood, goals in marriage, goals in finances, goals in health. Then after we set goals we work backwards to determine what choices we need to make today to become the person we want to be tomorrow.
Goal setting 101. It’s important.
But as I listen to all the inspiring, goal-setting voices, I keep seeing a missing piece to this important process. The (often) missing piece? GOD.
If we follow Jesus, then the goal-setting process needs Jesus at the core. We need to dream and plan with God. We need to process our future in His presence.
He’s the One who created us. He’s the One who knows the ways in which we should walk in order to experience the fulness of life He intends for us. And believe me, as I start to work through some of my own God-given goals, I’m seeing that His plans often exceed my measly ideas — which gives Him yet another chance to show His power and might and general awesomeness.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21
I want to set goals. I do. But I don’t want to set random, emotional, this-is-what-I-want-to-do goals. I want to set the goals that God has for me. I want to “fan into flame” the dreams that God has for me. I want to set goals as a result of worship and then hold those goals with open hands, trusting Him to have His way.
Sure, let’s set the goal to set goals. But let’s not be like the world — stabbing at the dark and making plans based on our finite perspective. Let’s goal set with the Maker of the universe. With the Lover of our souls. His ideas and plans are way grander than ours.
Happy Monday, friends.
5 Quick Tips to Setting Goals with God
- Slow down. God doesn’t push. He leads.
- Spend time in prayer, alone and with a trusted friend. He wants to guide His children.
- Write down the dreams and goals He brings to mind after times of prayer and worship. Writing things down helps them become more real.
- Tell those God-given goals to a trusted friend. Accountability is a good thing.
- Live today by faith that the God-given goals for tomorrow will come to pass.
p.s. Some of you have asked, so as an FYI, my newest Bible study will release next week! Prayers appreciated as I finish up the final details.
Fill me, Lord…
Tell me about your goal-setting track record. Does this idea of dreaming and planning with God change your perspective?
Great post, Lara! I’ve been thinking about this lately, because I’m a “A” type personality, who is also a bit distracted by the MILLION things you have to do daily as a mom. I was reading the parable of the talents in Matthew and my takeaway was that God doesn’t give us a quota, but he does give us a call to action. We need to DO stuff, in Jesus’ name. But, not so caught up in where we’re going, that we miss his voice TODAY. If I don’t write it down though, I’m like you, prone to leave my kids at Chick-fil-a!
A call not a quota. That’s good. I want to have ears to hear His call in my today. Blessings to you sister-friend.
Last year was my first year truly making goals and taking steps to achieve them – I started a photography business and starting homeschooling our daughter! You should check out Lara Casey’s blog. She is amazing and who I credit with jumpstarting my life changes and goal setting. Such an answer to prayers!
I will check her out! Thanks, Ashley. Hope your business (and homeschooling) is going well!
Thanks for sharing the verse from Proverbs, I don’t think I’ve ever paid any attention to it. But so true, and I need the reminder!? Plus I’m not much of a goal setter but I do make plans at times that include if it’s God’s will, it will come to pass..
Blessings…
I need the reminder too. I don’t want to run ahead of God asking Him to stamp some divine approval on my plans. I want to listen to Him and go where He leads. Blessings to you!