I am receiving emails almost daily about planning and setting goals for the new year. Are you?
Identifying what you want to achieve in the new year is important. Goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-specific (SMART) will help you achieve success. With SMART goals, you can develop an action plan and get moving forward!
But, wait! Are we getting ahead of ourselves?
Consider….who or what is driving your goals? What is the foundation of your desires?
Is it friends, family, books, gurus, coaches, or even those infomercials on TV that catch your eye? We are all bombarded daily with messages about what to be. These messages can influence who or what has our attention. Our 2018 goals and desires flow from the source of our attention.
Joshua: A Goal-Setter
After wandering the desert for 40 years, God call Joshua to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. God spoke, saying:
Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses….I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you: do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips: meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Excerpts from Joshua 1:2-8
Joshua was a faithful servant and God’s warrior. I believe he is God’s perfect example for establishing the right goals. His first priority was hearing and obeying God. When we rest in God and hear his direction, we establish a godly foundation that drives our goal setting. Our goals are more likely to be God inspired and God led.
Notice that God was very specific with Joshua. God laid out specific physical and emotional goals for Joshua:
- Prepare yourself and the people
- Cross the Jordan River into the land I have promised you
- Trust that I will never leave you
- Be strong and courageous
- Walk into your inheritance
- Always meditate and obey the Word and you will be successful
First Things First
First and foremost, Joshua 1:8 directs us to meditate on and obey God’s Word. Read and observe God’s direction before you set your goals for the year.
If like me, you are tempted to skip this step, you will know! As an ex-project manager, I can easily set and complete goals. God lets me move forward in my own power (I have free will!), but I may miss his guidance and blessing. My heart knows the difference between a worldly goal and a God-driven goal. It’s disconnected from God and my spirit senses the difference. Still, I confess that I don’t always listen!
Be wise this year. Follow Joshua’s example and God’s instruction.
Prepare yourself with the Word, trust what you hear from God, be courageous, and let God lead you into His promises for you. Quiet any desire to focus on the many messages around you. Focus on Him and trust that He is speaking to you through your life.
After you hear a general direction, set a specific goal and move forward. Like Joshua crossing over the Jordon River, we are called to take action once God gives direction. Peter Young, a wonderful bible teacher and pastor in Denver, explains:
There is a divine balance between waiting on the hand and work of God, and getting off the couch and doing our part in obedience and preparation.
Hear, obey, and get off the couch! Have a great year knowing you are stepping into God’s purpose for you.
I would love your feedback. Do you agree? Has your experience been different?
