Goal Setting 

Bowl games watched…check.

Christmas decorations stored…check.

Spring break plans underway…check.

Goals set…well, um…not yet…but maybe…soon.

People don’t like to set goals. They are afraid, I think, of being fenced in by their own expectations. They fear failure, and they don’t want to set themselves up just to let themselves down. They often don’t know where to start or how to set goals.

Goal setting is important, though, because it gets us moving and keeps us focused. One of my mentors, Howard Hendricks of Dallas Theological Seminary, used to say that, “God can’t steer a parked car.”

As Christians, goal setting has another advantage. It reminds us to seek God’s will for our life and to yield to Him where He is asking us to go. In fact, Scripture encourages us in our goal setting. Proverbs 16:1-3 encourages us to commit our plans to the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 encourages us to have faith as we look to the future. Isaiah 43:18 – 19 encourages us to forget the past and look toward what is new. Ephesians 3:20 encourages us that God’s power is at work within us.

Accomplishing a goal provides satisfaction.

Accomplishing a God-given goal provides growth and a deeper relationship with our Creator, as well.

So, how do we set a “faith goal?”

I believe that the answer is pretty simple. Ask God, “What would you have me to do?” and then spend time with Him and listen for His answer. Write down impressions. Then, make the goal measurable and begin to take action.

As we set faith goals, we can think in terms of specific questions to take to God. On the financial front, questions like “What lifestyle is God calling me to?” and “What am I most concerned about in the next six to twelve months?” and “Am I comfortable with my level of charitable giving / debt / savings?” and “Do my spouse and I have financial unity?” will help to guide my conversation with the Lord about my near and long-term financial choices. Listen to Him, and He will help you set faith financial goals.

In 2012, I hope that you will step out in faith. I hope that you will ask God what He wants you to do this year, and then practice depending on His power and guidance and sufficiency in the process of living out the goals that He puts on your heart. 

COPYRIGHT © 2011 RONALD W. BLUE & KINGDOM ADVISORS, INC.

Sanctity of Life Week

It’s amazing how quickly change seems to add up. Just look in the car, under the couch cushions, or at the bottom of your purse, and you know it’s true. What’s also amazing is that your change can change lives. Next week (January 15-22) is Sanctity of Life Week. Will you join with us in the Baby Bottle Campaign to support the Blue Ridge Women’s Center or your own local crisis pregnancy center? We will be posting information on our social media sites next week as well, but you can find out the details today at http://www.supportblueridge.org/campaign.html.

Meet Our New CSM

The new year has brought many changes, including one here at the home office. As many of you are already aware, our Client Services Manager, Rhonda Chewning, has moved on to other pursuits and will be greatly missed. However, starting January 17th, we will welcome her successor, Matt Reeve, in this role. Be on the lookout for his bio on our website in the near future.