Scripture repeatedly encourages believers to trust God for
needs and guidance. But how does dependence on the Lord fit with setting goals
for our life? Some Christians interpret these biblical admonitions to mean we
should not make plans at all because doing so hinders trust. However, this
perspective turns trust into apathy instead of acknowledging it as an important
discipline.
Setting goals helps us determine where to focus our energy
so we can accomplish the work God has for us to do (Eph. 2:10). When the
evangelist and preacher Jonathan Edwards was 19 years old, he made 70
resolutions, which guided his life—and he had an amazingly productive ministry.
The apostle Paul also set some goals for himself: “that I
may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His
sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). At the end of his life, he was able to say, “I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2
Tim. 4:7).
Wouldn’t you like to be able to say that on your deathbed?
So many things in the world distract us. We’re good at setting career,
business, financial, or personal goals and may even faithfully follow a to-do
list, all of which are good things. However, we must be careful not to let our
earthly pursuits keep us from thinking seriously about setting spiritual goals.
Making plans is an essential step toward achieving anything
worthwhile. So let’s be intentional about identifying what our hopes are for
our spiritual life and set objectives to head in that direction. These goals
are unlike any others because they have both temporal and eternal value.
Thought for today:
What are my plans for my spiritual life?
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