Every New Year I encounter the same interior battle between the good business practice of setting goals and my Christian understanding of God’s outworking of our purpose and plan. When does goal setting or making New Year’s resolutions cross the Christian line into self-determination?
On the goal-setting side, I’ve taken business courses on time management and goal setting. I believe you can’t get where you want to go without a clearly defined plan.
On the God’s will side of this equation, I know God is in control and if He planned for me to be the next Beth Moore, that is what I’d become. But, if that was not His plan, I could work my fingers to the bone and never achieve success (or if I did, it would be hollow when I got there).
So how do we marry these two concepts? While searching the Scriptures, I discovered the answer tucked within Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul writes,
“I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles” (Romans 1:9-13 NIV).
What can we learn from Paul’s goal-setting process?
- Paul knew God well enough to make a decision that would be in line with God’s character.
This sounds so easy, but if it were, then we’d all wear WWJD bracelets and be done with the whole thing. So, the first goal I am setting for myself this year is to grow in my knowledge and understanding of who God is. This means setting aside the time necessary to build a relationship. It might also mean taking some things off my schedule.
- Paul did not shy away from opposition or a challenge.
When his plans to visit his brothers and sisters in Rome were derailed, he looked for the opportunity in the delay. Oh, how would our lives change if we saw every setback and every delay as an opportunity?
- Paul states his willingness to submit God’s plans and sovereignty.
It is interesting to note that Paul submits his plans to God; he isn’t seeking to know God’s plans for him. I meet so many people who are waiting for God to direct their steps instead of making choices with God-given wisdom and then saying, “Here are my desires, Lord; this is what I believe I am to do, but your will be done.” In our Scripture passage, we see Paul fully embracing his gift of free will while resting in the knowledge that, in the end, God is still in control.
What three things does this scripture reveal?
- We are free to set goals and plan to achieve them.
- God will guide us as He walks with us each day in this New Year.
- God is sovereign and He will give us wisdom for our decisions.
Always remember—God is bigger and wiser than we are, and He will, in His sovereignty, give us wisdom for our decisions.
Take time to review the plans, resolutions, or goals you’ve set for this year.
Question: Which of these things do you need to focus on more right now: getting to know God more, seeing obstacles as opportunities, or submitting to God’s sovereignty? I look forward to reading your comments.
About Cheri Cowell
Cheri Cowell is the founder and owner of EABooks Publishing, and author of Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life (Beacon Hill Press). Visit her at www.EABooksPublishing.com or www.CheriCowell.com.
As a 90 year old, 65 of which have been lived as a believer, not perfectly, it has been my observation that some Christians put the cart before the horse. If our main goal is to stay close to Jesus through Bible study, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and learning to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, we will seek His will in our goals. I must add, keeping ourselves honest before God regarding known and hidden sins. Show me….should and would be a natural result of a life so lived. Show me if my goal is not Your goal. Show me if my desire is not Your desire. Does that make it easy? Absolutely not! The Christian life is not a business. It’s a life of dying daily to self in every area of life. That is not always easy, but learned. Then, all decisions, goals and whatever, will first be filtered through the One who gave everything for us, even to His agonizing death on a cross. Dying daily to ourselves in every area of life, is not easily learned, but it makes life so much more fulfilling and peace- filled and honoring to our Savior. If we blow it, we confess it and learn from it. Give Him YOU…with all your desires, goals and plans. His plans for us may be so much better than we could have planned. And looking back, once learned and implemented, life becomes much simpler and with an inner peace that is a treasure.
Wisdom…I wish I could sit with you for coffee. You have a lot to share…thanks for sharing here.
WOW Cheri! I loved your blog! It spoke to me about what I needed to hear! It is truth! I need to focus on getting to know God more AND seeing obstacles as opportunities! God Bless You and Your family in 2024 and especially for all you do. I look forward to touching base with you.
That Seeing Obstacles as Opportunities is a tough one, and I don’t write it as one who has mastered it—but it is a lesson I’m learning. Thanks for writing.
So much wisdom in these three opportunities for growth: getting to know God more, seeing obstacles as opportunities, and submitting to God’s sovereignty. I hope to continue prioritizing quiet times with God, not focusing on the negatives, and resting in the knowledge that God is in control and will never leave me alone and will work out all things in His timing.
Barbara, you’ve outlines some great steps to help you set God-centered goals this year. And in all ways, if we acknowledge Him, we will be on the right path—together.
Thanks for sharing!