stephen R Harrison

Every sport with a ball has a goal, even if it isn’t called a “goal”, and is used to score points. Football has goal posts. Basketball has a goal. So does soccer. Each player works to achieve victory by placing their ball strategically into the goal. A player suits up, steps onto the playing field, and exerts tons of energy because they believe they will score in their goal, which ultimately leads to a win. Goals aren’t met easily. But with training, patience, work, and perseverance, goals can be achieved. Every goal met leads to a greater chance of victory. Maybe you’ve never played a sport, but I’m sure you’ve set your eyes on a goal before. Setting goals in our spiritual life is good and can lead us to the greatest goal – growing closer in our relationship with Christ.  

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-15, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.”  Paul set goals to win!  His goal was to know Christ. Knowing Christ better was a win for him and is a win for us. As you set spiritual goals, remember this:  goal setting is risky. You risk not meeting it. But you also risk meeting that goal. Goals never set are never reached. No goals mean no failure. However, isn’t failure never setting any goals at all? Setting and striving toward goals builds character, perseverance, and maturity. Don’t set goals too easy that you aren’t challenged. That’s like shooting first, then drawing a bull’s eye around the bullet hole. Also, don’t set goals so hard to achieve that they discourage your walk with Christ. 

Clearly define your goal. That’s step one. Let’s take the biblical discipline of fasting as an example in setting goals for spiritual growth. If you have a spiritual goal of fasting, remember that what you’re abstaining from is just half the goal. What you decide to put in its place (prayer, scripture memorization, worship, bible reading, etc.) is the other half. If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time! Start slow if you’ve never fasted before. Fast for a meal a day. When you achieve that, step it up and fast a whole day, remembering to pursue the Lord as you evade food.

Let’s look at some questions worth considering as we continue to use fasting as an example. What goals have you set in fasting? What goals have you set in worship?  Prayer? Bible study?  Bible memorization? Are these reachable goals? Is it too easy of a challenge? Is it too hard? Which is a bigger goal for you: Knowing Christ more intimately or abstaining from food (or something else)?  Which is harder to do? Why? How are they connected? Do you have a growth plan? What scriptures are you going to read tomorrow? Which will you memorize? What time will you set aside today to worship?  Have you made a prayer list?

Thank you Lord for having a specific purpose and goal for my life. Please help me by giving me courage, desire, and direction in fulfilling those goals during my pursuit of you and spiritual growth. You are my strength. My ultimate goal is to know you more (not just know more about you). Like Paul, I forget the things of the past that want to drag me away from the goal and prize of knowing you. Thank you for the victory!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.