Setting God Centered Goals

"A man’s heart plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NKJV).

A goal simply defined is a target or desired end. Christ centered goals are goals mainly sourced from the word of God. These are goals we set that are in alignment with God’s will, His power and the prosperity of His kingdom. They are goals that bring honor and glory to God.

God allows His children to make some decisions regarding their lives even though He can sovereignly overrule. The Living Bible in Proverbs 19:21 says man proposes but God disposes. We are to have goals that we subject to God’s will. It is okay to make plans counting on God to direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9, TLB). Below are some salient points about goal setting:

 Goals Are Important In Life: Goals are the roadmap to progress. A wise man said nothing is dynamic until it first becomes specific. Until you can define your desired end, forces of progress may elude you. It’s amazing how before you set date for an event everything is in a stalemate but immediately the date is set things begin to move fast and fall into place. Setting goals motivates and set things in motion.

 Goals Should Be Written Out:  “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets that he may run that reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2). The fact is that whatever we focus on in life magnifies. Whatever you set before your eyes is magnified in your mind. God asked Abraham to focus on the stars of the firmament and not on his childlessness. God was trying to advertise his future to him and needed Abraham to ingest and internalize what He was planning to do in his future.

 Goals Should Be Verified:  As you draw up your goals, you must also state the reason why you want them accomplished. For example if your goal is to be married in 2015, the reason for the marriage shouldn’t be that you are getting old and  therefore willing to settle for anybody available. The reason should be God glorying and should come from a desire to be in partnership with a godly spouse and to fulfill God’s will for marriage. Always ensure your motives are in line with Heaven.

Goals Don’t Fulfill Themselves: One dictionary definition of goals is the end towards which effort is directed. Some Christians erroneously feel that their goals all depend on God for actualization. We are co-laborers with God in bringing our goals or dreams to fruition. The question is what can you do to bring those goals to fruition? Do you need to go back to school? Do you need to learn a new skill? Do you need to seek out a mentor? What do you need to do to bring the goals to reality? The questions you ask determine the answers you get. Our effort is very much necessary and expedient in order to realize our goals. Note that your goal(s) carry a price tag which only you can pay.

Your Goals Should Have An Eternal Perspective:  Setting God centered goals are only possible if we keep the divine eternal perspective.  We should realize that just as we have expectations from God, He also has expectations of us. Everything I’m trying to achieve in 2015 should have a divine purpose attached to it. As a Child of God you don’t own yourself.  You have been bought with a price, so you are expected to glorify God in all you do (1 Corinthians 6:20). As you do God’s will (e.g. winning souls for the kingdom), God will perfect all that concerns you.

CONCLUSION: Goals help us to be focus. Many people don’t accomplish much because they are scattered and doing many things at the same time. Goals also help us to live our lives not by chance or happenstance, but by design.  Your goals are only as big as your God; your goals tell your perception of God. If you truly believe God is capable of doing all things, your goals will be lofty, transcendental and glorifying to God.

Ade(Gboyega) ESAN

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