Last week I issued a challenge for you to take the online purpose assessment on my website and then commit to improve 15 points between now and the end of the year. You may want to read last week's Memo if you haven't already before we move on to talk about goals this week and for the next few weeks. I found that goal-setting was one of the lowest scoring areas for those who have taken the assessment since its inception.
THE ROLE OF A GOAL
Why do you need to set goals? Why can’t you just float along with the tide and go where the Spirit leads you? Because there are too many factors that work against you to prevent things from happening in your life. You must cooperate in the creation of the life you would like to lead. Paul outlined the dynamics of a goal in one verse, found in Philippians 3:14: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (NASU). Consider these words and phrases:
- I press on. That means there is something pressing against you, and you must exert greater force on it than it is exerting on you if you are to make any progress. What are some of the things pressing against you? Consider such things as laziness, fear, time and money constraints, confusion, and doubt, just to name a few. Feel free to add your own ideas to the list. Whatever you do, don’t allow those forces to press you into their mold and keep you where you are. Set a goal and then press through your opposition.
- For the prize. A goal has a reward—achieving something that you really want to do. Reaching the goal is the prize and there is nothing wrong with competing against your own capabilities and the circumstances of your life to do something meaningful. But a prize can also be lost, and it is possible to set a goal and not achieve it. But if you don’t set the goal, you definitely won’t make it. The prize is more special when the obstacles overcome were insignificant. Someone once wrote, “There's no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue, there's no joy in merely doing things which any one can do. But there is some satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take, when you reach a destination that you thought you'd never make.” The prize is reaching the destination you thought was impossible.
- Is upward. A goal takes you closer to God and godliness. The struggle and faith work something in you like nothing else can. You grow when you set a goal and make it, and the growth is almost as good—if not better—than the achievement. My writing and speaking has blessed a lot of people, but I have gained much more than I’ve given. I’ve learned about God and myself in the process and now I’m better equipped to serve Him. Don’t stand around with your feet on the ground. Soar to great heights in God by setting and achieving some goals!
- Involves a call. A goal is something that is a desire of your heart, something that God put there in the first place. When you acknowledge that the desire is there, you honor Him by recognizing that God is the caller and you are the called—you are simply responding to His will and initiative. I have seen many people get hung up in asking, “How do I know that this is what God wants me to do?” And I always respond, “How do you know it isn’t?” Then I quote Proverbs 16:3 from the Amplified Version: “Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” If your heart is to do God’s will before you know what it is, God will direct your thoughts into His paths for you. Such a deal! What a promise!
SO NOW WHAT?
We will continue our study of goals next week, examining the common enemies we have in the goal-setting and achieving process. But this week, you can begin our emphasis on goals by identifying things you would like to accomplish in the areas of work, ministry, family, finances, and personal development. Feel free to identify any other categories and write down some ideas of things you would like to achieve. Don’t get too formal yet; just jot down some ideas. You can continue to study Philippians 3:14 and see if you get any more insight into the role of a goal. Don’t be content to study a goal, however; don’t stop until you set some. Better yet, don’t stop until you achieve some. As you work on this process, have a great week!
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KENYA: I am in Kenya all week. Thank you for helping me bring a blessing to the people here. I have $1500 from the Sophia Fund to distribute. We have also raised $2000 of the $6000 needed for Operation Chicken Coop. I will continue to collect Chicken Coop money until we have raised enough for the farm, so please give as you feel led.
Thank you so much for the profound Monday Memo.It really ministered to me.I know what has been pulling me down so badly.
God bless you for even allowing Him to use you to minister to us.
Posted by: Lynette | August 18, 2010 at 05:38 PM
Praise God.
I was delighted to hear from you on Hope FM.
Please let me know how i proceed from here. I really need to enjoy my life more and be more fulfilled. Especially my career path.
May the good Lord abundantly bless you.
Posted by: Carol | August 18, 2010 at 05:41 PM
I appreciate the fact that God has called you to help people discover their purpose in life.I also appreciate my score at purposequest. This has helped me see where i stand as far as my purpose in life is concerned.Thank you also for your insightful sentiments on Hope FM, I learn t a great deal from you as well as Irene. Though we are not acquainted to each other, I hope the Lord will open a door one day for us to meet and get know one another at a personal level.I personally serve the Lord at a local church in Kitale. I really desire your help as far as my life purpose is concerned.God bless you and use you even more.Bye!
Posted by: Pastor Charles | August 18, 2010 at 05:45 PM
I listened to you on Hope Fm for the first time last night. Then today I visited your website and did the PQ assessment and was bronze. I also went to your Monday Memo and decided to take you up on the Challenge. I definitely need to work on those areas. I feel stuck. I quit my job because it was killing me inside and I felt that I wasn't in my purpose. So as I work on that I think that the challenge will really help me out. I also plan to attend the session you and Irene will be having at Red Court Hotel tomorrow.
Posted by: Wendy | August 18, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Hi thanks for the results i am a 21 year old lady who is desperate to know God's purpose in my life and pursue it. I would really love to do the TLC profile to discover my purpose please help me.
Posted by: Joy | August 18, 2010 at 05:49 PM