Originally posted January 2021

The start of a new year can be exciting, especially when we see it as an opportunity to set new goals that challenge ourselves and grow. Many of us start the year with big dreams and resolutions, but if we are being honest, how often do those goals last?

Most people might do well for the first week, maybe even a month if they are feeling motivated, but eventually, it all seems to fall apart. Does this ever happen to you? If so, why is that? Why do we struggle to stick with the goals we have set for ourselves beyond those first few weeks?

One thing I have noticed when setting my goals is that most of them focus on me. I set these goals by myself for myself because that is what I think will make me better. 

What I do not do is seek the Lord, at least not entirely. When I sit down to set my goals, I do not typically pray, “Alright God, what is it that you would want from me this year?” No typically, I already have an agenda about what I want from this year. Oftentimes, I look at what other people are doing in the world and make my goals off of them or based off what they want from me.

Yet, how am I going to become the person that God has created me to be if He has no say in my goal-setting? How am I supposed to grow in Christ and fulfill His

purpose for me if I do not set goals based on what He desires for me? 

The truth is, I am not going to be able to. I am not going to be able to become the person God created me to be if I am setting goals based on myself or the world. A goal that does not include God has already failed before it has begun.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

1 John 1:15-17

This year, I asked myself a couple of questions before I set my goals. 

• How does the Lord want me to seek Him this year?
• How does the Lord want me to better His Kingdom this year?
• How does the Lord want me to bring honor and glory to His name this year?
• What steps does the Lord want me to take in order to become the person he wants me to become this year? 

These questions were really hard for me to answer at times. I kept wanting to use my knowledge and the knowledge of the world to set my goals instead of falling to my knees. I wanted to set my goals based on the image the world has created for me instead of the image that the Lord carefully designed for me.

Society does not know what is best for you. Even though it may convince you that eating healthy and exercising every day will make you the best you that you can possibly be (and it certainly might be just what you need) the Lord may have other plans. His plans and goals are far greater than any plans and goals we could ever make. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you andnot to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

So, this year, when you are setting your goals, seek the Lord first. Find out how He wants you to grow individually to further His kingdom. 

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:6

In all reality, no matter how many goals you set or vision boards you make this January, this new year may end up looking completely different than you could have ever imagined, good or bad. No matter how it ends up, rest in the peace of the Lord through all of it. He knows the plans He has for you and will work out your future for good when you follow His will. Trust Him. His timing may not make sense to you, but I promise it will be perfect each and every time.

I hope that this new year will be a year of growth for you. I pray that the Lord will work in your life and help you become the person that He created you to be! 

See ya next time beautiful people! 

Madi