Aligned Ambitions: Goal Setting, God's WaySample

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21 (New International Version)

There is not a spontaneous bone in my body. I am a planner. I like setting goals and making checklists. For me, nothing is more satisfying than the structured rhythm of a to-do list and the adrenaline rush accompanying each ticked box. Lately, however, things have not gone as planned. There are no checked boxes on my list – the book I planned to publish this year is still being written, and the door to the exciting new career I prepared for, slammed shut. As a planner, I am tempted to exchange satisfaction for frustration when things don’t go my way. As a child of God, I must acknowledge the potential misalignment of my plans to His purpose.

The question of purpose and its relation to goal setting and execution is as common as it is profound. The answer, however, is simple. The purpose of my life, and yours, is to love, glorify, and remain in fellowship with God, and to love others the same way He loves us. God’s will is for every human to have a personal relationship with Him forever. In partnership with Him, we have been given unique gifts, talents, passions, and abilities to use as resources to lead others to Him.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who had goals. Noah had a goal to build an ark that would save him, his family, and two of every animal on Earth from a flood (Genesis 6:14-7:5). Nehemiah had a goal to rebuild God’s temple (Nehemiah 2:5). Jesus had a goal to give us everlasting life (John 14:6; John 10:10). While each goal was unique, they were similar in that they were executed in obedience, at the perfect time. God provided the blueprint and man carried out the instructions – together, they accomplished the goal.

Setting goals is biblical, however, woven within its pursuit lies truth found in today’s scripture: while we are free to craft our plans, God’s ways will always surpass our own. Yielding to God’s greater design is where true fulfillment lies.

As we journey towards achieving our goals, may we do so with wisdom and open hearts, trusting that God’s path leads to the most remarkable destinations, far beyond what we could ever imagine. Join me tomorrow as we explore the act of aligning our aspirations with God’s purpose.