Goals

I'm not a big fan of New Year resolutions. Most of us make them and then break them 24 hours later. But goals, on the other hand, can be powerful in making the new year a better one than the previous year.

I don't know where I first learned this, but for a goal to be a goal it needs to be S.M.A.R.T.

• Specific: You need a specific target for the goal.
• Measurable: There needs to be some measure of success to know that you're actually achieving the goal.
• Attainable: You have to be able to attain the goal. It can't be some lofty, pie-in-the-sky dream.
• Relevant: It needs to matter and not be a waste of time.
• Time-bound: There must be some time-frame or deadline related to the goal.

Let me give you some examples:

• This year I'm going to use a youversion Bible reading plan to read through the Bible in a year to grow spiritually.
• This year I'm going to exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week to stay healthy. 

You get the picture. 

So what goals do you want to set this year. I've set a few. This blog is one of them. I want to blog at least three times a week in an effort to process my thoughts and disciple Hub City Church.

I want to leave you with something I read in Rick Warrens Devotion this morning about goals. After you read it take some time an come up with a few goals of your own.

God Has a Plan for 2014. Shouldn't You? by Rick Warren

“[God] planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth.” Ephesians 1:10 (GWT) Goal setting isn’t just a good idea for productivity. It’s a spiritual discipline, like prayer, fasting, giving, and reading your Bible. In fact, goal setting can be an act of stewardship as you attempt to make the most of all God has given you. You can waste your life. Plenty of people do it. To make the most of your life and invest it in a way that outlasts you, you’ll need goals. You’re either someone who makes things happen or watches things happen — or maybe you have no idea what’s happening! Those who make things happen are the people who change the world. Even God sets goals. The Bible says, “[God] planned to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ would be the head of everything in heaven and on earth.” Ephesians 1:10 (GWT). God didn’t sit around and let the history of the world unfold in a way he found appropriate. He planned history. God has goals for the Church. God has goals for every facet of the universe. History is moving to a climax. There will be a judgment day, when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. History is moving toward that goal — because God planned it that way. If God plans, so should we. God wants us to be like him in all facets of our lives, including goal setting. I’ve heard people say, “I’m not going to plan. I’m just going to trust God and go with the flow.” That’s not spiritual; it’s stupid! You shouldn’t go one more day without making plans for this year. Otherwise, you’ll drift through 2014 as you’ve likely done in previous years. If God has a plan for the next year, shouldn’t you?