We all have limited resources—time, energy, money, abilities—and have to make choices about how and where to spend them. Good stewardship includes using our resources wisely. We can be more purposeful, more fruitful, more satisfied and, we believe, more pleasing to God if we cultivate the skill of setting compelling, God-honoring goals.

Hearing and Doing

If we’re going to live more effectively, we must ultimately act. The Bible challenges us to be not just “hearers” but also “doers.”

For it isn’t those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it’s those who obey the law who will be declared righteous (Romans 2:13).

We read that to mean it isn’t enough simply to learn about God and know right from wrong. We’re not merely to grow in intellectual knowledge—but to become more Christlike (Romans 8:29). That sounds ideal, doesn’t it? But how can we do it? If our objective is to become more like Christ, more mature, and more complete, we have to begin to translate knowledge into action—to let our faith and knowledge make a difference in how we live. It’s not enough to only understand our struggles and identify issues or needs. This is where setting goals and planning come in. It’s important that we not throw ourselves into action without careful thought about why we’re doing it.

Room For Spontaneity and Quiet

We’re not suggesting that every activity requires a complex process of goal setting. There’s a lot to be said for spontaneity! The things we discover “by accident,” or at least without planning them, can be thrilling.

We also need quiet time—periods of inactivity, times of reflection, times of prayer and listening to what God wants to tell us, and times of rest. If you’re like us, your life can be so busy and so consumed with activity that you exhaust yourself and yet are left with a feeling that you really haven’t accomplished much. Given these needs for times of unplanned, spontaneous activity and inactivity, we still require goals and plans for most of what we want to accomplish in life.

Are You Ready to Set Goals?

If what we’re saying makes sense, and you feel God nudging you to get a little more planful with your life, join us on a goal setting and action planning expedition.

The good news is that you don’t have to accomplish this alone. In fact, the ideas and advice of other people can be very helpful. A pastor, trusted friend, teacher, or family member may be just the person to help you think through your options. Can you think of someone who might come alongside you with this process? More good news is that as you learn how to use these skills in your own life, you’ll be better equipped to help others do the same.

Next month, in Part Two, you’ll learn how to set goals that are the right balance of desirable AND do-able. Our goal is to see you then!

For more information on setting goals, contact FCMM at info@faithmentoringandmore.com.