Five keys to reaching your goals
After Jesus Christ was raised into heaven in front of His disciples, they then travelled the known world to be beaten, imprisoned and tortured - all to share the good news of our Saviour. Despite all sorts of physical, emotional and spiritual trials, they remained steadfast in their vision and purpose. The disciples had been given a powerful mission and goal to make a real difference to their world, and they took up the challenge with everything in their being.
Proverbs 24:3-4 says, By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
The Bible makes it plain that it makes good sense to set goals in every area of your life, including your marriage, family, finances, career and ministry. Therefore what are some ways to get started putting together some quality short, medium and long-term goals?
- Commit your plans to God
Take time to firstly seek God’s plans for your life through prayer and reading the Bible, asking Him to be in control and give you wisdom and understanding in every area. If this is not your first step, your plans and dreams may well be your own, and not what God is wanting for your life!
- Get wise counsel
Remember to seek advice and support from those with experience and skills you may not have. This could include pastors, business people, community leaders and so on, but remember you are after godly wisdom, not just good ideas.
- Take time to plan
It’s absolutely vital to be diligent in taking time out to plan your goals. Set an hour or two aside and really focus on what you want to achieve, the outcomes you are after, and the best way to get there. To set goals, you have to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and map out the short, medium and long-term life you are after.
Remember that if you are married, you will want to include your wife in the process too! Sarah and I set aside one evening late in the year to review and then renew our goals for the next 12 months. Besides being a great tool to plan ahead, setting goals in this way ensures that as a married couple you are always focused on the same things, and know where you are heading together! For so many people who don’t do this, it’s really easy to drift apart, then ten years later say, “I don’t know who you are and we are not heading in the same direction.”
- Persevere and have follow-through
As with all success stories, it’s important to have perseverance and follow-through while you chase after your goals. Life is full of obstacles and challenges that prove too much for many. However, keep chipping away and remember to trust that God is at your side, willing you on ever further to where He wants you to be!
As a man of integrity, you are only a failure if you stop trying! As Proverbs 24:16 says, For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Get up, brush yourself off, forgive yourself if needed and move forward!
- Focus on eternity!
While setting a goal to own the world’s largest Porsche collection is all well and good, the things that matter most to God are not tangible. What are some practical and tangible things you can do for those in need within your community? Can you support a mission overseas financially and through prayer?
Focus on eternity and what you can do to leave a strong legacy for Christ!
God wants us to have a firm vision, plan and purpose, rooted deeply in His will. Take the time today to seek His will for your life, then move forward as a man of God, pursuing the vision and dreams He has for you!
Blessings
Tom O’Neil
Tom O’Neil has spoken at PK events and formerly served on the PK Board. Tom is a life coach, career specialist and Managing Director of CV.CO.NZ