3 Reasons Why You Should Set Some Goals for Next Year

In his search for fulfillment and purpose Solomon came to the conclusion that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecc. 3:1). And of the examples he goes on to list many of those seasons are generally outside of our control. We can’t control when we are born and have but a little control over when we might die. We obviously can’t control the times that cause us to weep and mourn; and, of course, we never intend to suffer loss. However, many of the other examples Solomon lists are things we can control. We can choose when we plant and therefore have some control over when we harvest. We have some say about when we purge things out of our lives or when we bring them in. Rending, sewing, silence, speaking, etc. – these are all things we can do at our own discretion. But the thing is, we will neither be effective nor successful in any of these seasons of life unless we plan for them.

Success or failure is often a result of much or how little thought we put into our efforts. That’s why New Year’s resolutions are so popular, because whether a person actually keeps those resolutions or not they understand that success comes when a person is working to accomplish a clearly defined goal. No this isn’t an issue that will necessarily effect whether we are saved or lost, but there seems to be a great deal of prudence in approaching life with some specific purpose. So with that in mind let’s list a few reasons why we should set some goals for the next year.

1. Because it gives us something to work toward. Before Jesus went back to heaven He set a goal that He expected His disciples to achieve. “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matt. 28:19). That was a mission that has given the church something to work toward ever since. Do you think Jesus saw the wisdom in setting a goal? Of course, that was a broad goal that Jesus would later break down into smaller and more easily manageable expectations (Acts 1:8), but that goal of reaching the world with the gospel is the purpose that has always driven God’s people. Similarly, we need some goals that give us purpose each day. It might be the goal of reading through our Bibles in the course of the year, or the New Testament each month. Maybe it’s a goal to invite so many people to church within the year or so many per week or month. Maybe the goal can be centered around praying so many times per day or giving much more intention to our already healthy prayer lives. There are many areas of our lives that healthy goal setting can benefit because it gives you something to work toward.

2. Because measuring tangible results motivates us to move forward. As the first century disciples went about working toward Jesus’ terms of the Great Commission they could see positive progress. Starting in Jerusalem those Christians worked hard to the point that their number quickly grew to 5,000 disciples. As their work extended into Judaea, Samaria, and then to the Gentiles they could see the progress they were making. Paul’s work of establishing new congregations throughout Asia Minor also gave some tangible evidence of just how much was being accomplished. Don’t you imagine that every success they enjoyed motivated them to go forward and do more? The same will be true for us. Now, admittedly the failures that we experience can have the opposite effect, we just have to have the strength to move past them. God’s workmanship can never afford to quit, but sometimes we need a little motivation to move forward. Setting goals can help with that.

3. Because meeting those goals offers fulfillment and empowers us to do more. Paul revealed some amazing news in Colossians 1:23 when he said that the gospel had been preached to every soul in the world. That goal that Jesus had set, that the disciples had taken in stride, and that they had worked toward ever since the day of Pentecost had been met. I can’t imagine how fulfilling that must have been. But they didn’t allow the fulfillment to satisfy them long. Because even then they were still working toward bringing more and more souls to Christ and their success in achieving their goal empowered them to do it (vs. 24-29). Nothing was impossible. The challenge was met and with the proof that it could be done they immediately moved forward to a new day with a new challenge. Achieving a goal, at least a spiritual goal, isn’t about being done with challenge. It’s about reaching potential, and with God on our side our potential is limitless! Yes, you’ll find fulfillment with success, but let that fulfillment fuel a greater desire to dream, serve, and achieve.

Maybe you’re just a driven person who has never needed a plan of attack the way I’ve described. If so count yourself fortunate and God bless you in your efforts. For the rest of us setting goals is a way to better structure our efforts for maximum results. Whatever way you do it commit yourself to growing closer to and doing something for God every single day, to His glory and the good of His kingdom.

-Andy