The Word – Setting Goals 

It's typical in this season, this New Year that we have resolutions. We have  resolutions for health – for wealth or some other important milestone in our  life. 

In a survey by people that survey such things … 31% of survey participants  plan on making resolutions for 2021 while 19% are still undecided. Seems like  they should resolve to make up their minds. 

Of those that made a resolution in 2020, 35% kept all their resolutions, 49%  kept some of their resolutions, and only 16% failed at keeping any of their  resolutions. 

According to an Inc. study of 2,000 people, these are the 5 most common  resolutions that were made in 2019. 

1. Exercise more 

2. Eat healthier 

3. Save Money 

4. Learn a new skill 

5. Quit smoking 

Every year the number one resolution stays the same – Exercise more.  According to statistics, more than 12% of new gym memberships start in  January. During January, Google searches for health and fitness peak. That’s  fantastic – that’s awesome right? 

Well not so fast – statistics also say that out of those new January-joining  members, 80% will quit within five months and 14% quit before the end of 

February. Yikes – that’s crazy if you’re a gym owner and even worse if you are  one of the ones that quit.  

But take heart - this isn’t a podcast on joining gyms or making new year’s resolutions – This is a podcast about real change – from a biblical  perspective…. Think of it this way resolutions are things you tell yourself – and work on for yourself with little to no help from anyone. Goals on the other  hand are things you commit to. I think as Christians we sometimes fail at our  resolutions because we have the wrong perspective on this tradition. You see,  resolutions are statements of intention, while goals are statements of  commitment. Resolutions are often vague like “I will get in shape” or “I will be  more productive.” Resolutions also tend to aim for extreme changes—I will  stop overspending— or I will lose 30lbs by April – this creates an intimidating  gap between where you are and where you want to be with no actionable  steps. This is like having two pieces of bread with nothing in the middle and  trying to call it a sandwich -- This is also why 80% of New Year’s resolutions  fail. I like to think of it as resolutions being secular while Goals are something  God desires of us. Resolutions are great intentions, but goal setting is biblical. 

Just Listen to some of what the Bible has to say on Setting Goals:  Proverbs 21:5  

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty  comes only to poverty. 

Philippians 3:14 – In Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote:  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Luke 13:32 

He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and  tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ In this Christ is referring  to Herod as a fox. 

Goal setting was a part of Christ’s thinking. First and foremost, His goal was to  do the will of His heavenly Father. This is the goal that got Him out of bed in  the morning. It was a joint mission with the Holy Spirit. His goal was also to  serve the people. He cast out demons, healed, and taught. Jesus was a focused  individual with specific goals in mind.

God has a lot to say about goals and...