by Robin Shane

Created on: April 23, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

Any goals to strive for are very individual. But, I suppose, if one were to have absolutely no guidance then I can share my experience as it is until today.

When I was a child I was taught to make goals and put them on paper. Break them into small, manageable pieces so as to avoid discouragement. This was a task that I've worked on all through my life. Sometimes I write goals and the steps there in a journal, on a napkin, on a matchbook cover, or on my hand. Jotting down ideas is critical or we will lose focus and may also lose the original imagination.

The most important goal, both personal and spiritual, is to accept Christ as our Savior, allow Him to work in our lives, and to correct our character defects one at a time. All we need is to believe that He died for our sins. His blood covers our sins so that God can look at us and love us instead of condemn us. The reason that this goal should be top priority is because, for starters, is simple and it is the groundwork for all other goals.

God doesn't much care what goals we make. He most certainly wants to be included in the process. He is the success, or planned failure, of every plan we make in life, if we let Him. As long as our goals will harm no one and we ask for His guidance, we are sure to receive the desires of our heart. Yes, we may hit a road block, and God may say no or not right now or not this way. But, if we genuinely want what's real, we will embrace His guidance.

Personal goals? The way it was explained to me is to start by writing down the ultimate goal. Then write down every single thing that must be accomplished to reach that goal. I have whole notebooks dedicated to these "ultimate goals." With everything broken down into such small parts, it is more manageable and each piece can be crossed off as they are completed. If we persevere, we will reach our goals.

My problem is that I get the notebook, decorate it, come up with my ultimate goal, list all of the tasks, and then I'm done. I'm already bored with that mission. I can hardly stay focused on anything. For the others like me, don't give up. Keep reaching for the stars. Sometimes the journey of goal setting is all that God wanted us to go through right now. We learn volumes about ourselves just in the process. I usually learn that the thing I want so terribly bad, when broken down, was nothing I actually wanted anyway. However, I still learned much about the "subject" and about myself.

Spiritual goals to strive for? God gave us a goal in Romans

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>