by Dr. Charles Stanley
Many people equate success with acquisition of wealth or fame. However, from a spiritual standpoint, the word means something altogether different: it can be defined as becoming the person God desires each of us to be. In fact, Hebrews 13:5 says, "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’" But how do we become the people the Lord wants us to be? We begin by having a proper understanding of God’s will for our lives. You and I must make His goals our own.
A goal is a purpose, aim, or sense of direction—like the finish line of a race, or a student’s diploma. Goals are determined by what we value and desire, and we spend our time and energy to reach them. As Christians, we lay aside our own ambitions and submit to God’s plan for our lives. Throughout the Bible, we see this pattern. God gave His people specific objectives and promised that they wouldn’t have to pursue those goals alone. He Himself would be there to support His followers and provide whatever they needed to fulfill the mission. And so it is with you and me today.
Some people incorrectly believe that setting goals is unbiblical or unspiritual. But the Scriptures talk about growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). God places in every believer's heart an insatiable hunger and thirst for more of Him and His Word.
While our relationship with Him brings us genuine fulfillment (Phil. 4:11-12), we often find an undercurrent of dissatisfaction in our hearts. We long to know more, to better understand His ways, and to develop deeper intimacy with Him. So we make it our goal to know and love Him better than we do.
One of the most goal-oriented people in the Bible is the apostle Paul. He had an overwhelming sense of purpose, direction, and commitment. God used that drive by sending him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and eventually, through His writings, to the entire world. Undoubtedly, Paul asked the Lord to reveal how to communicate widely and effectively, and then, on his missionary journeys, implemented what he learned. The apostle's example shows us that when we focus on a God-given goal, the Lord will move heaven and earth to help us achieve it.
Paul’s ultimate ambition was to know Jesus in a deep, personal way, and to be conformed to His likeness (Phil. 3:8-11). Our goal, like the apostle's, should be to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection in our daily lives. And we should seek to walk in the Spirit as we serve Him. This is God’s desire for us—to shape our character to mirror Christ’s (Rom. 8:29).
Paul so dedicated himself to this goal that he was willing to die, if necessary, to achieve it. In Philippians 3:12, he writes, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." As a result of such focus and determination, you and I can read Paul’s letter to the Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and all of his other epistles. These writings contain awesome revelations and a profound understanding of the Christian life. Think about the riches the church would have lost if Paul had decided to follow his own ambitions. His faithfulness has already affected countless lives for eternity.
Goal-setting is applicable for every child of God—not just for the apostle Paul, your pastor, or “professional” Christians. Your heavenly Father has a purpose for your life, and He has planned the best for you. The Lord desires that you succeed in whatever He has called you to be and do. When your purpose and priorities are in line with His and you set goals accordingly, God will use you in mighty ways. That, my friends, is the key to godly success.
© 2008 In Touch Ministries® All Rights Reserved.
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