Goals are very important and there are many pros and cons to them. They can help us know how we are progressing with something and if we are achieving our objective, but at the same time, they can become an obsession where all we care about are our goals and nothing else.
I believe it’s a big deal for followers of Jesus to know how to be productive, get things done, and set and complete goals. However, at the same time (myself included in this big time), we have to remember a few things about our goals.
- Are our goals about advancing the Kingdom at the end of the day?
- Do we treat our goals as something that only we can do, or only something God can do?
- What do our goals currently reveal about our priorities?
I’m often guilty of either setting my own goals without having God in mind or working hard to achieve “my goals,” while Jesus isn’t even a part of the equation. He’s the Real One who is at work here, not me. Yes, let’s work hard and achieve goals, but let’s do it in a God glorifying way that advances His mission.
Jesus only called us to one goal, and that is to make disciples.
Here is what the Bible has to say with scripture on goals:
2 Corinthians 5:9 – So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Matthew 6:33 – But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
1 Corinthians 9:24 – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Colossians 3:12-13 – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Corinthians 14:12 – So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
Proverbs 21:5 – The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
2 Chronicles 15:7 – But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What does the Bible have to say about other topics?
Feel free to add any additional Scripture to this topic by commenting below.
What power we have as Christians and as communicators for Christ! Thanks, Mike.
Agreed! Thanks for sharing Mary!