Smart Goals | A Different ApproachSample

Inventory

Before we really get started into our journey of goal setting, we need to take inventory. The best way to survey our souls in this case, is to let Day 1’s verses operate on us like a loving surgeon’s scalpel. 

Consider for a moment James’ discussion of the future. He highlights three very important things I think we need to consider and/or avoid as we decide what’s the best direction to head in any situation:

1. Pride

2. Limited Foresight

3. The Temporal Nature of our Life

4. Cultivating Humility

Normally, when we think of our life, we think of how in control we are, how well we’re doing, the importance of our legacy, and God’s desire to bless us. Some of these are all well in good, but James asks us to consider our heart when talking about the future. 

Pride can get ahold of us very quickly in boasting, or even in speaking of what we’ll do today or tomorrow. However, in reality, we don’t see things very clearly. We operate with very limited perspective and we rarely think about how God's plans, our plans, and all sectors of culture come together to help or hinder what we may plan to do next. God, however, sees all of this.

Not only does God see every factor, he sees us. He sees our temporal and small ant-like existence in the universe. Though he calls our life a “vapor,” he still chooses to use us. This should sober us to rest in humility under God's authority. We need to mutter in everything we do; “if the Lord wills,” I will do this or that. Such a statement is like a soldier taking off his helmet and bending a knee in order to acknowledge that there is a General in the room far greater than he.

And lastly, think about Paul’s words about the past. Consider Paul’s successes—a Jew above every Jew, a pain-staking and perfect “keeper of the law.” Consider all of Paul’s failures—a murderer of Christians, and a persecutor of the church. Paul could have gone about boasting in all he’d done, or he could have gone around hanging his head in despair and shame. He did neither. What did he do? He rested in Christ’s work, found his place in moments, and he set his aim on one thing, and one thing only—becoming Christlike.

As you and I consider our past, present, and future, phrases like “God’s will” will surface. Normally, in our culture today, when we speak about “God’s will” we speak of it in future tense. However, an in depth study into God’s will as used in Scripture will reveal that he’s more concerned about what we’re becoming over and above where we’re going (he has got that figured out).