How Can I Set and Achieve New Goals!
A goal is an aim, a purpose, a sense of direction towards which a person focuses all their energies, desires, and efforts. Goals are the “targets” towards which we point our lives, often straining all our energies to achieve that goal. If you have already achieved something, it is no longer a goal—it is an accomplishment. A goal is a statement of intention, aimed at the future.
When does the New Year begin? January or February? In the Leap Year, we have an additional day added to February, not to December. January may not have been the beginning of the year throughout history. The prefix ‘Oct” means 8, Non/Nano means 9 and Deca means 10. December would then be the tenth month, not the twelfth. Yet, most of the world acknowledges January 1st as the beginning of the New Year and it is customary for many to meet up with family and friends the night before to greet the new year. There is often feasting and partying at that time. This time for celebration is not Biblical. It is not a Christian feast. We understand it to be the New Year , but do not partake of the worldly pleasures of that day.
Many hope to start the New Year by making resolutions to help them have a successful year.
Some years are better than others. We remember these years and the special things that happened. However, our life does not consist of a year, but of a moment. We should thank the Lord for His mercy—not yearly, or daily, but every moment. What do you remember from last year? Think carefully over the events of the year. Was it a bad or good year for you?
Have you backslidden or gone forward in knowledge, faith, good works, heeding the prophecy, helping others to draw close to God, and so on?
From every event, bad or good, the Lord has lessons for us to learn. “To God we owe all we have and are. In Him we live and move and have our being. We have not been forgotten by Him. In His book each human being has a page, on which is recorded his whole history. Constantly and untiringly God is working for our happiness. The treasures which He has placed within our reach are numberless. ‘The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.’ He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. The earth is full of His goodness. Creation proclaims, with myriad voice, the forbearance, love, and compassion of the Almighty.”–The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1901
How can I set and achieve new goals this year?
Should Christians set goals for the future? Some say no, but let us read what Sister White wrote to J. H. Kellogg and his wife on the 1st January 1886. “I wish you a happy new year. The old year with its burden of record has passed into eternity. Now let every thought, every feeling be that of remembrance of God’s love. Let us gather up one token after another.” –The Upward Look, p. 15
One of the most important questions you can ever ask is, “What goals does the Lord desire for me to set and to achieve for Him in this New Year? Remember that setting spiritual goals for your life is an important step towards being a success in the Lord’s eyes.
We can learn much from the Apostle Paul’s life. He was one of the most goal-oriented people in the Bible. To the Philippians he wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I also count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7–14
Paul was not a man who wasted his time or energy. He was extremely focused in his life, and he had an overwhelming sense of purpose and direction. He stated in the above verses that his life goals were:
- To know Christ Jesus as intimately as possible;
- To experience the righteousness of Christ in his own life;
- To be conformed to Christ in every way;
- To press towards perfection.
The Apostle Paul made no claim that he had achieved his life goals. Rather, he stated that he was continuing to press toward the goal of the prize of the “high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” To press, in this case, means “to diligently follow after.” He was zealous in following Christ.
What is the main goal your have in your life. Is it your desire to have a closer relationship with Jesus this year ?
“The old year, with its burden of record, is fast passing away. The new year, with all its possibilities, will soon be ushered in. What advancement have we made in the knowledge of Christ during the past year? Are we prepared to show, more decidedly than ever before, that we are on the Lord’s side? At this time, when the nations of the world are wavering between infidelity and idolatry, are we prepared to stand as faithful ambassadors for Christ? Shall we not, at the beginning of this new year, give ourselves and all we have to God? Shall we not listen to His voice, which calls us to a renewed contest, to a more thorough consecration of ourselves and our intrusted capabilities to His service?
“God speaks to each human being, saying: ‘I have a claim on you. Give me your zeal, your capabilities, your energy, your means.’ He has a right to ask this; for we are His, redeemed by His boundless love and by the agony of the cross of Calvary from the service of sin. On no account are we to devote our powers to self-serving. Day by day we are to return to the Lord that which He has intrusted to us. And we are to ask Him, not only for temporal blessings, but for spiritual gifts. He who asks in faith, believing that God will fulfil His word, and who acts in accordance with His prayer, doing God’s will in all things, will receive rich blessings from on high. And as he receives, he is to impart to those who need help.” –The Signs of the Times, January 2, 1901
Hindrances to Achieving you Spiritual Goals
In order to achieve our spiritual goals, we may need to change and improve our behaviour. It may not be easy, but achieving this is possible through Christ. He will help you, one step at a time.
In Isaiah we read, “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well.” Isaiah 1:16–17. We need to keep our eyes on the goal and remove excuses.
Procrastination is one big reason many do not reach their goals. Thus, now is the best time to begin. The only cure for procrastination is to start doing something immediately. This gives little time to think and come up with excuses. “Cease to do evil; Learn to do well.” Isaiah 1:16–17. “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:15
What are Spiritual Goal
To add to our original definition of a goal, we can say it is a statement of how you desire to grow, develop, mature, or change in a positive, specific, and achievable way. “
God requires perfection of His children.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 315. This should be our ultimate goal.
“We have no time to lose. We know not how soon our probation may close. At the longest, we have but a brief lifetime here, and we know not how soon the arrow of death may strike our hearts. We know not how soon we may be called to give up the world and all its interests. Eternity stretches before us. The curtain is about to be lifted. But a few short years, and for everyone now numbered with the living the mandate will go forth: ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: … and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ Revelation 22:11.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 454
Goals for the Christian are not based upon how they desire to live for their own pleasure and satisfaction. They should have as a goal, of knowing and serving Christ.
Dear reader, have you identified what is the “priority goal” in your life? Are all your goals in line with God’s Word? The Lord will not lead you to pursue a goal that is contrary to the principles established in the Bible.
“We are to grow daily in spiritual loveliness. We shall fail often in our efforts to copy the divine pattern. We shall
often have to bow down to weep at the feet of Jesus, because of our shortcomings and mistakes; but we are not to be discouraged; we are to pray more fervently, believe more fully, and try again with more steadfastness to grow into the likeness of our Lord. As we distrust our own power, we shall trust the power of our Redeemer, and render praise to God, who is the health of our countenance, and our God.” –Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 337
Reasons why many fail to achieve their goals
Allowing your bad habits to hold you back. “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” Said Jim Ryun. Your life, and habits you have had for years, can hinder your achievement. Since habits are at the core of who we are, and they are hard to make or break; many struggle to achieve their goals. Instead of doing what is supposed to be done, they do what is comfortable and easy. This is the first major roadblock to achieving goals. A common saying states, “If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.”
Breaking or building habits is not always easy. But, in Christ, it is very possible. “Wrongs cannot be righted, nor can reformations in conduct be made by a few feeble, intermittent efforts. Character building is the work, not of a day, nor of a year, but of a lifetime. The struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle. Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 452
“We should learn wherein we fail, and then guard ourselves upon that point. We must have perfect control over our own spirit. ‘If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.’” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 307
Setting good goals in the mind only. Many people set goals in their mind only, and it stays in their mind. When setting new spiritual goals, you need to act on them. Merely desiring change without taking any positives steps for this change will result in failure.
“The formation of a right character is the work of a lifetime, and is the outgrowth of prayerful meditation united with a grand purpose. The excellence of character that you possess must be the result of your own effort. Friends may encourage you, but they cannot do the work for you. Wishing, sighing, dreaming, will never make you great or good. You must climb.
“The conversation we have by the fireside, the books we read, the business we transact, are all agents in forming our characters, and day by day decide our eternal destiny.
“Mental ability and genius are not character, for these are often possessed by those who have the very opposite of a good character. Reputation is not character. True character is a quality of the soul, revealing itself in the conduct.” –My Life Today, p. 267
It helps to sometimes write down your goals and then think and pray about possible ways that you can work to make them become a reality. That way you can see them in front of you and they will not remain in your mind. By seeing them, you can begin to organize them and make a plan on how you will carry them out.
Negative mindset—Not believing that you can do it. “Trust because you are willing to accept the risk, not because it’s safe or certain.” –Anonymous
Do you really believe you can achieve the spiritual goals you set? When you do not believe you are capable of doing something, you will not take actions towards making it a reality and eventually it is not achieved. It is a failure.
“The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you cannot overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.” –Messages to Young People, p. 99
Believe in what Christ can do through you. A peaceful mind generates power. Who decides whether you will be happy or unhappy? You do.
From some historians we read:
Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do. Don’t wish it were easier, wish you were better.” –Jim Rohn
“The number one reason people fail in life is because they listen to their friends, family, and neighbours.” –Napoleon Hill
“The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.” –Denis Waitley
Poor time management. If you cannot manage time wisely and effectively then you will have difficulty managing anything. Time is a blessing. We are children of God who are given this golden gift of time in which to grow into the likeness of Him who made us. Shall we not then cherish every moment of our precious time for our personal spiritual development?
Remember that time is not on your side. You only have 24 hours in a day. We all have the same amount of it. We only differ on how we manage it. The biggest difference between those who achieve their goals and those who do not is effective time management. True Christians are stewards of their time. They do not waste a single moment of it. “The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. “ –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 342
Losing patience: Giving up too soon is another hindrance. Do you persist? Or do you give up easily? It is easier to give up when facing challenges than to keep going.
“Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you cannot overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.” –Messages to Young People, p. 99
Lack of Discipline: If you lack discipline, it is important to work at improving it. It is a vital part of the process.
“Are you ready to make the surrender now? You are to put away your sin right now when you see it…. Do not make leeway [that] you are going to overcome by degrees; you are going to try little by little to give up sin. Now, while it is called today, heed the invitation and harden not your hearts.
“Oh, my soul, why not leave the cursed thing today? Sin crucified my Lord. Why not turn from it with loathing? Why not love the things that Christ loved, and hate the things that Christ hated? He has made provision ample enough for you that you can, through Him, be more, yea, more than overcomers.” –The Upward Look, p. 283
Good Resolutions to Make:
Courage: When the Israelites faced the flowing Jordan, walled fortresses, and mighty giants in the land whither they were to go, the Lord said, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9
Zeal: There is so little time in which to do all that must be done. Along the way there will be difficulties, but a warm and glorious welcome awaits us at the end of the road. Therefore, let us work with zeal. We may soon have it completed if there is zealous, united, and consecrated action. Imagine what the church could do to hasten the coming of the Lord if they went forth filled with the Holy Spirit with holy zeal to prepare men and women for the glorious appearing of our Saviour! Let us take our responsibilities seriously and search our hearts earnestly
Love:. Let us rid ourselves of every root of bitterness, .every remnant of animosity or hatred. Let us enter the year with love filling our hearts, ready to overflow in thoughts and deeds of sympathy and tenderness. May we always be ready to feel sympathy with another in sorrow or to express appreciation of good work done by another.
Keep your friendships in good repair. Be more understanding, more tolerant, more forgiving, and slower to take offense. Let us determine to make our minds a graveyard for any gossip that may drift our way. And let us pray that our heavenly Father will enable us to have such control over our lips that never a word will pass through them which will hurt another.
Humility and meekness is to be silent about our own personal difficulties. “Meekness is a precious grace, willing to suffer silently, willing to endure trials. Meekness is patient and labors to be happy under all circumstances. Meekness is always thankful and makes its own songs of happiness… Meekness will suffer disappointment and wrong, and will not retaliate…. A meek and quiet spirit will not be ever looking out for happiness for itself, but will seek for self-forgetfulness and find sweet content and true satisfaction in making others happy.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 335, 536
Some people have likened the new year to a new page, a new chapter, or a new book. How true this is with our lives. When we are fully committed to the Master on these pages He will write events that are full of interest, full of meaning, and rich in service. Our lives are an epistle. May all who read this epistle be blessed at what our heavenly Father is doing day by day to redeem, and restore in us the beauty of His original creation when man was created in His image.
Be Health Conscious. To enjoy success we must be healthy. Health, happiness, and success are closely related.
Let us pray that the Lord keeps our faith from growing cold. May the signs of the times we see around us, help us to grow stronger. It is my prayer that each one of you make the decision today to set new spiritual goals for the year and then pray that Christ will help you achieve them as you continue to grown int His likeness. Amen.
Victor Shumbusho,
DR Congo Union