Goals? Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!! / Mrs Amanda Rasbeary

 

Mrs Amanda Rasbeary

Pastor's Wife

Lighthouse Baptist Church

Wylie, TX

 

Goals? Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That!

In casual conversation a while ago, I told someone that I was writing down my goals and she said “I don’t set goals because I am afraid I won’t meet them.” Since it was a casual conversation with a total stranger, I did not prod, yet I wondered why someone would let the fear of failure keep her from making plans for moving forward.

But then I asked myself, ‘Why do I continue to set goals even though there have been many times when I have failed to meet those goals? I have always been taught to set goals, but why do I really do it? Does it even work?’ So I have decided to answer my own questions and see if I could be a blessing to someone else as well as myself.

The reason that I set goals is that I believe it is biblical! The best reason of all is the belief that God will be pleased with my planning. Of course, Jesus said it best in Luke 14.

 

Luke 14:28-32 “ For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.”

 

It seems to me that Jesus is putting a whole lot of emphasis on being prepared. Didn’t he spend three and a half years training the disciples before sending them to evangelize the world?  If I’m going to be all God wants me to be, I have to be diligent to find and do His will- by setting goals.

 

Setting goals is more than just writing some of your ideals and dreams on a piece of paper. Good goal setting helps you to reach that ideal or dream by having a definite plan of action. Also, having to mentally reflect on your weak areas helps you to realize your shortcomings. If you honestly judge yourself, your self-righteousness will come down a notch or two, and you will become more open to change. Just the physical act of writing it down will help your goals feel real and attainable and give you something tangible to come back to if you feel yourself going a little off course. Goals also make you accountable to and dependent on God as you bring your plans to Him in prayer. There is nothing that will increase your faith more than setting a difficult goal, making and following a plan, and then watching God fill in the details.

Here are some practical ideas and helps to set your goals.

1. Aim for a goal in each area in your life. You have many roles: wife, mom, teacher, employee, employer, etc.

2. Be realistic! Hello! I am a 40 year old lady who has had 4 kids. I need to lose 25lbs but that isn’t going to happen in 2 weeks, or even 2 months!!!!

3. Make a plan to reach the goal. This may require some research. For example: the age-old problem of getting back in shape. What diet plan will you use? Will you exercise; if so, when and with whom? Who will hold you accountable? Oh, now we are getting personal!

4. Make the goal specific. Even give yourself a time frame. Not a broad, fortune cookie goal, like ‘I want to lose weight’, but ‘I want to lose 5 lbs or 5 inches and I want to do it by May. I will walk 3 times a week for 2 miles with my kids. I will cut out soft drinks and I will use this diet plan.’

5. When (not if!) your plans are messed up by either yourself or unforeseen problems like health problems, modify your goal but don’t give it up entirely. Don’t let the failed goals discourage you. Look at the goals you accomplished and reset the ones you failed at. The point was growth not perfection, right?

I want to live my life to please God and make a positive impact on this world. I believe the most efficient way to do this is to always be growing personally in every area of my life. I never want to be satisfied or to think I have arrived. So no matter how many goals I fail to meet I will keep trying again and again till one day I have victory. That may not be until I get to  heaven but at least I can stand before God and say I tried!

So come on, ladies- get out a pen and paper and start on your destination to a better you!