I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find myself going though the motions of life without any sure direction. So, I started to think, I wonder if people in the Bible felt the same way? I wonder if Paul ever felt like he didn’t have a true direction in his life? I was unable to find certain instance where it seemed as if Paul had lost his purpose, but I did find many mentions of his purpose; Paul’s goals. He had a personal goal of accomplishing the call of God in his life
Philippians 3:10-14, “10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul’s goals were in essence to be like Christ in all he did, or as he says in Ephesians to be an “imitator of Christ.”There are other passages where Paul alludes to his goal as being the preaching of the Word, being poured out as a drink offering for the church, going to Spain, etc. Paul had goals. If goals are good enough for Paul, they are good enough for me.
But how do I now what my goals should be? I know they have to be in line with the calling and desire of God, but how do I know what He wants my goals to be? It’s through His Word. It is through the word of God that one can understand what their goal(s) should be in life. No, there isn’t some section in the Bible where God has written down all your goals in a neat little list. But the Holy Spirit uses the word to illuminate us, He uses His Word to show us His path for our lives.
He also uses prayer. Prayer is plain communication with God, it is worshipful talk to a loving Savior. It’s how we speak to God, thanks be to Christ our High Priest. Because of Christ’s finished work on the Cross we can now boldly enter into communication with God. Now, this boldness does not mean, ya kick in the door and say, “Ok, God this is what you’re gonna do…” This isn’t a Clint Eastwood movie. This boldness is speaking of the audacious concept of even being able to speak with God, never mind ask Him to do something for you. This is an honor, and always should be done with humility. As a Christian we now have the beautiful gift of asking for our God’s help.
We ask God, for His input in setting goals for ourselves. This is no better illustrated than with Jesus asking God to make a different goal for Him, “IF IT BE YOUR WILL.” The point is we need to stay in communication with God in setting goals, why? 1. He is God and deserves to hear our goals 2. He already has plans for us 3. He loves hearing His name praised, even in making decisions
We should make goals with a few strings attached. Goals are to be set in prayer, in close connection to the Scriptures, Spirit-led, open to God’s Will, and in humility knowing that God is sovereign over our goals. I think everyone should at some point take some time and really contemplate what your goals are. Be specific in them, it’s ok to dream big. Our God is a big God, He tends to enjoy granting those big dreams. Remember Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” With that in mind these are a few of my goals that I am leaning on God for guidance:
Marry a Godly Woman
Graduate from a Baptist college
Begin shepherding a church before the age of 23
Grow my first church’s love for Christ
Have as many children as the Lord see fit
Grow the attendance of my church by at least 20%
Graduate from a good Baptist Seminary
Plant Logos Baptist Church by the age of 35
Celebrate my 20 yr. Anniversary with my wife
Grow Logos Baptist church into a Christ-centered fellowship of 150, mainly through conversions
Love my Savior more and more
Obtain my doctorate in theology
Celebrate my 50 yr. Anniversary with my wife
Make sure my children are living for Jesus
For people to get saved at my funeral
to know that my goals are not infallible, and that God has free reign on my life
So, make some goals, then honor God through those goals. That’s my opinion. Take it or leave it. - Dean
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