In life there may be many things that we would like to achieve to bring glory to God. At times we may start off going in one direction but end up somewhere we never expected to be. Distractions and temptations abound. So, how can we stay on track toward achieving our godly goals? Here are three helpful tips on setting and achieving godly goals: (1) assure that our goals are Biblically sound, (2) decide if they are important to us, and (3) learn from the example of others who have succeeded in achieving their godly goals in order to stay motivated toward achieving ours.
In order to achieve our godly goals, we must first be sure that they are Biblically sound. We can do this by assuring that the Scriptures support the goal we are working to achieve. Is our goal in alignment with God’s will? Jesus Christ studied God’s Word and knew God’s will for his life. He could confidently state that his goal and God’s goal were one and the same.
John 4:34:
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
Once we are sure our goal is Biblical, we’ll want to decide how important it is to us—is it worth committing our time and energy to achieve it? Do we care enough about the end result to put forth the effort required? Jesus Christ believed with all of his heart that the goal God had placed before him was worth every effort.
Hebrews 12:2:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus Christ gave everything, including his life, to achieve the victory for us all.
Once we become convinced that our godly goal is worth our effort, we can then wholeheartedly lock into our pursuit of it with resolve and determination. We know that there is no turning back; we are persuaded, unstoppable, and we will not quit.
Philippians 3:13,14:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Something that will help us stay motivated to keep reaching for our goal is to learn from the examples of others who have succeeded in achieving their godly goals. Jesus Christ is our greatest example of someone who committed to his Biblical goals and prioritized his life and actions with focus to achieve the victory God had set before him. He set his mind on the will of the Father and did not stop until he completed his mission for the glory of God.
John 5:30:
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 17:4:
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
We can also learn by observing and fellowshipping with people who are adept at achieving their godly goals. Whatever we are pursuing—whether it’s becoming a godly example in the workplace, developing more skill at holding forth God’s Word, teaching at fellowship with greater boldness, cultivating a powerful prayer life, learning how to be more organized so that we can redeem the time, or manifesting more joy and peace in our daily lives—seasoned disciples who are skilled and capable in these areas can provide inspirational examples to follow. They can help us structure our approach to achieving our goals. Attaching ourselves to somebody who has more ability than we do is an effective way to learn.
In order to stay on track with achieving our godly goals, we can follow these three tips: (1) line up our goals with what the Word says; (2) decide that our goals are important—that they are worth the required effort and time; and (3) stay motivated by learning from the examples of those who have succeeded in achieving their godly goals. We can give our all to achieve victory in every endeavor we pursue for the glory of God. He is there with us each step of the way as we set out to accomplish both the goals He has set before us as well as those that we set for ourselves.