The New Year is upon us and as we look back over the last 12 months, it is a good time to reflect on what worked for us and what did not.
The million dollar question is, "What do yo plan on doing differently next year to grow in Christ?
This question does not assume you had a bad year or failed your goals, this question simply acknowledges real growth comes through building on success and learning from failure. As a believer in Christ, the goal should be growing in your faith, becoming more like Jesus and developing your God given gifts of service. Hopefully, you implemented some spiritual pursuits which helped in this endeavor, over the past year.
If something worked for you, continue the practice. Just as important, do not make the same mistakes, learn from them.
Here are some Biblical guidelines to successful goal setting:
SET REALISTIC GOALS
Micah 6:8 - What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
Setting realistic goals is the key to success in any endeavor. Setting reasonable goals allows you to experience success, while setting ridiculously large goals will lead to discouragement. If you have never read through your Bible, setting a goal to read the whole thing in a year is a realistic goal. Deciding to write a commentary on the whole Bible when you have not read it all, may not be very realistic. Deciding to get involved in local outreach is a realistic goal, winning your whole city for Christ may be a bit outside your reach.
SET GOD'S GOALS
Psalm 127:1 - Unless the LORD build the house, the builders labor in vain
Understanding God's supernatural empowerment to accomplish His goals for you opens the door to unlimited possibilities. Saying, "I want to reach a million souls for Christ this year" may seem a bit lofty, but if God chooses to work through you and you follow His lead, why not. The only caveat is: make sure your goal is God's goal. Nothing will lead to failure and frustration quicker than running ahead of God.
SEEK OTHERS WITH SIMILAR GOALS
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one, because they have a good return on their labor, if one falls down, the other can help him up... though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken
Surround yourself with those pursuing the same purpose. For instance, if you are planning a trip to Alaska, do not partner up your preparations with a guy planning a trip to Hawaii. The Hawaii guy will have very different preparations and chances are, you will hinder one another. If your plan is to read through the Bible in a year, find others with the same goal and hold one another accountable.
DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY SETBACKS
Proverbs 24:16 - For the righteous falls seven times and rises again
Everyone of us experiences setbacks. The Apostle Paul had a goal to reach Rome to preach. If he gave up when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem or shipwrecked on the Island of Malta many books of the Bible would not have been written. Paul did make it to Rome and had fruitful ministry there, the path was not how he envisioned, but the goal was met.
Even if you do not have a specific goal beyond knowing God better, pursue knowing God with all your heart. Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
What do yo plan on doing differently next year to grow in Christ?
What are your goals for the new year? Do not plan to fail by failing to plan. Get together with your Father, who loves you, and get His plan, set some goals and watch God do His thing.
Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!
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