New Year's Resolution (New Year, New Goals)

I know it’s already a few weeks after the New Year, but I thought the timing was perfect for this post. Some have already broken their resolutions for 2012 and others are still going strong. Either way, I want to challenge you this year to set goals instead of resolutions, because they are really two different things.

The dictionary defines a resolution as:

“a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.”

And a goal as:

“the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.”

The point I am trying to make is that a goal is seen to the end while a resolution is simply something we determine to do; often, these resolutions don’t seem to even last past January. When we make a resolution, we usually focus it on ourselves not on God. So why not think differently this year about your goals?

Every year I set goals for myself and goals for the ministry. I like to set goals that I feel like God has given me and then throughout the year I seek Him about them. For the ministry I make goals that I know only God can achieve.

In Luke 9:62 Jesus says, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” I think what He is saying is that all our goals should look to the future and to our growth as individuals, churches and organizations. Do we learn from the past? Yes, because we don’t want to repeat it. But do we dwell on it and center our resolutions and goals on the past? No.

Our goals should not be based on what we want but what furthers the Kingdom of God and allows us to be better followers of Christ and reflect characteristics of Him. God will give us the desires of our heart when they line up with His desires.

As we make goals this year, surrender each to God, so it’s not your goal and what you want but what God wants for you. Ask Him, what is your goal for me this year?

- Jay