Girlfriends in God - Jan. 11, 2008
New Year – New Goals
We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends. From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend", Angela Craig.
Today’s Truth
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Friend to Friend
It is January, a time for reflection on the past and an opportunity to dream and plan for the future. I don’t know about you, but I embrace the opportunity for a fresh start in the New Year.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) states: “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” One of the things I love about God is that even though He never changes, He understands our need to change. He understands our desire to pursue a purposeful life and a God-designed destiny.
When I reflect on last year’s goals, I am so thankful that God’s mercies are new every day because I seem to need a daily do-over in at least one area of my life. As 2007 slipped by, it seemed that my life was planning me instead of me planning my life. So here I was,
First, I learned that there are many reasons people don’t set goals at all. See if you identify with any of these:
1) Fear of failure.
2) Fear of what others will say about your goal.
3) Don’t know how to set goals.
4) Don’t think goals are important.
5) Don’t want to interfere in the move of the Holy Spirit and the will of God for direction.
6) Too busy.
Last year, I am sure that I had all of those same thoughts at one point or another, but the one that personally challenged me was the fact that I want my life to be directed by God. There is nothing more I want than to do than His will and live out His God-designed purpose for my life. You might ask how that could paralyze one’s goals; waiting on the move of the Holy Spirit for direction is a good thing to do.
What I found in the Bible was that the followers of Christ prayerfully made goals and were flexible to change them if the Holy Spirit moved them to do so. They also understood that no matter what career, family, financial or personal goals they made, God’s will would be done as long as they remembered that goals are not about what the individual wants to achieve, but what God wants to achieve through the individual.
With this knowledge, you and I have the freedom to set Christ-centered goals while escaping the six reasons people don’t set goals. I am confident that the goals you set this year will move you down the path of your destiny. In the section of this devotional entitled “now it is your turn”, you will have the opportunity to create S.M.A.R.T goals, but before you start, let’s pray.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you Lord that You have compassion for our need for do-overs and that Your mercies are fresh every morning. I pray now that You will guide me as I set new goals and carry them out. I pray that no matter what my goal, others will see Christ in me.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen.
Now it is Your Turn
1) Study these Scripture that teach about goal setting. Luke 14: 28-31; Proverbs 21:5;
Proverbs 13:16; James 4:15-16; Habakkuk chapter 2.
2) Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals1.
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely
Specific: A general goal would be, "exercise more” but a specific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 days a week."
Measurable: Ask yourself how you will know you have achieved your goal. Will you use a tracking system or set check-in times?
Attainable: What attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to do you need to access or implement to reach your goals? For example: If you have children, will you need childcare?
Realistic: To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. For example: If your specific goal is to run a 5K, it would not be realistic to sign-up for the next week’s run. Instead, set an attainable three month plan with a measurable tracking system.
Timely: A goal must have a deadline. If you have not reached your goal at the date set, just reset the goal date and keep going!
1George T. Doran is quoted on the internet as the originator of the term, through the article in Management Review on SMART.
More from the Girls
Ah, January! For many of us, January is the time for plotting out the New Year by making new commitments and setting new goals. The problem comes when we try to make those changes in our own strength and power. Only God can change a life. Yes, He works in and through us, but the power belongs to Him. Set goals this year after you have prayed, asking God for His wisdom and direction. Then go for it! Dream big, girlfriend! Don’t settle for anything less than the best and highest God has for you. I encourage you to visit my new website at www.marysoutherland.com and check out the CDs, one of which is Getting Good at Being You, a step-by-step process for discovering and living out God’s plan in your life. Blessings!
Seeking God?
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Girlfriends in God
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