It's the new year and it seems the natural thing to do is to make resolutions. I wrote about compromises on my first post for 2012 and how our resolve fails because we compromise on the outcome.
Through the eyes of an 8 year old I saw the power of setting goals. Every year, my daughter's school has a chocolate fundraiser, to raise money for the school and missionaries overseas. If you participate, they are great incentives for selling. On the first day of the candy sale, she looked at the sheet that listed all the prizes. Realizing that she didn't have a bike, she declared, "I want to sell 16 cases so that I can get a bike." I asked her if she was serious and she said yes. The adults in the room looked at each other and tried to figure out how we could facilitate her meeting this goal. I sent out emails to everyone I knew asking for donations or sales, even though I felt I was being annoying. I asked family members to sell cases for her. She suggested we go to the grocery store and sell. I came up with a schedule for selling. To make this work, I had to come out of my comfort zone - I had never done anything like this before; I also had to constantly encourage her and remind her of the expected outcome. If we compromised, she wouldn't meet her goal.
Once out selling, it became relatively easy and when she wanted to quit, I reminded her of her goal. Wouldn't you know it, she sold 16 cases and got her bike. As a matter of fact she exceeded her goals by two cases. And when she got the bike she had the widest ear to ear grin.
This made me think - if an 8 yr old can do it, why can't I, why can't all of us?
I can't tell you what goals to strive for, but I do think your goals should enhance your character and your walk.
Some thoughts from the scriptures on setting goals:
Philippians 3:13-14 - Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
It's always a good time to set goals and strive to be better.
My goals as we start 2012:
- Re-establish self discipline as it pertains to my quiet time.
- Become more effective at working from home
- Be open to whatever the Lord has in store for me - trust more.
Do you have any goals you wish to share? We can hold each other accountable.
