Yesterday afternoon I started to think about what the Bible has to say about goal setting.

I searched for plan in Bible Gateway. No returns.  Goal. Not there, either. I’m most comfortable with the King James Version, so that’s how I search, but I then remembered the ESV does have a word translated goal.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14

That seemed a good place to stop at, since I’m drawing a blank on other passages. I’m sure there are places in Proverbs that are relevant, and I’ll look there later. For now, this whole passage gives me some good ideas about goals and goalmaking.

• Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 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. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
• Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:12-21

• First,making goals doesn’t mean I’m perfect or what is accomplished is credit to myself. I haven’t made it on my own, as Paul says. I must remember that there is no contradiction in personally striving for mastery, and allowing God’s grace to work in my life. And God gets the glory, always.
• I must not fret about the past. I do that when I make goals. The whole reason I’m making goals is that I’ve failed in some area to some degree or another. It’s hard to press toward a mark when I’m looking behind me.
• I’m also going to consider that reaching goals is hard work. We want the life of ease, and the Christian life is about effort and discipline.
• Surrounding oneself with others who take the Christian life seriously is important.
• So is remembering that I am a citizen of Heaven. We keep our eyes on our Saviour, which is where the power for change comes from anyway.

Now, what goals to have?

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