Not Too Late To Set 2010 Goals
At the beginning of each year, there is a desire within me for a new beginning, a fresh start. We are four weeks into the New Year and yes that desire is still there, but something is different. In a “normal” year, I like to sit down the first week of January and make a list of goals of what I want to accomplish during the upcoming year. Realization is starting to settle in and I am figuring out that 2010 is not one of those “normal” years. I am in the midst of my husband’s deployment, working full time and a mother of a busy teenager. So, at the end of the day, my only goal is to get in bed and try to fall asleep at a decent hour so I can start the next day all over again. Does this sound familiar to some of you?
Goal setting for me has always been about what I want to accomplish in the New Year. Even though I have not taken the time to write out my goals for this New Year, God has used the last couple of weeks preparing my heart for His goals that He has for me. Whether it is through reading His word, listening to excellent teachings of His word, having conversations or quiet time in prayer, God is speaking to me and this year I do not want to miss what He is saying. I would like to share with you some thoughts and scriptures that God has given me that may help you look at goal setting differently and also help you reach your God-given potential this year.
Just recently I read and studied the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11. Jesus had asked for the stone to be rolled away from the tomb. Martha’s response was no different than how we would have responded. She told him there would be a stench since Lazarus had been dead for four days. Jesus replies to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” A question that was asked of me, I now ask of you. What stone in your life are you refusing to roll away? I truly believe that if God has given us dreams and visions for our life, He will sometimes ask us to roll away some stones. Do you believe? Do you want to see the glory of God? This year allow and cooperate with God as He prepares you for what He has in store for you.
Whatever goals God has given you to achieve this year, refuse to live your life without passion and enthusiasm. Ecclesiastes 9: 10 (NKJ) states, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Refuse to overlook or lose sight of the gift that God placed in you. Paul, in his letters to Timothy, tells him in 1 Timothy 4:14, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” Paul reminds him again in 2 Timothy 1:6, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
This new year, join me as I prayerfully ask God what He wants to accomplish through me in 2010. He has something spectacular prepared for each of us. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) states, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
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Thanks for sharing all of those wonderful lessons from God’s word!
My greatest hinderance come witht he follow-through on accomplishing the goals. AFter all, there are eleven more months to get it done, right?
Casey,
You are not alone in feeling that way. And yes, we have 11 more months. It sounds better than 1 more month. Whatever the goal is, break it down into smaller goals. I know I will get overwelmed if I focus on the bigger goal. And don’t forget to reward yourself, even if you think the accomplishment was something small. I am reminded of a scripture – Zechariah 4:6, “So he answered and said to me: ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Relying on God’s strength and His Holy Spirit has not come easy for me. Allowing my faith to grow and learning to trust Him is taking some time, but I am willing to go the distance.