Never Stop: Goals

I possess absolutely no proof or even polling information regarding the claims I am about to make.  With that caveat now stated, here go the claims . . .

1. Most people who even bother to set goals, do so on December 31st or even the next day.
2. Of those who set goals, most do not accomplish them.

If I am correct, based on observation and conversation alone, room for improvement in the arena of goal setting exists.  

As to claim #1, allow me to suggest that last-minute goal setting is less than helpful.

As to claim #2, I offer encouragement to stay the course.

What are your goals?  Do you have any?

If your answer to the former question is something along the lines of "I'm not sure, but I know that's really important" - it's not too late (nor too early) to set some.  It's a great practice to clarify your dreams and plans.

If your answer to the latter question is "No" - then why not strive to change your reply to "Yes"?

At this sentence, as I continue to write to those of you who could use some motivation to set goals, I want to welcome, likewise, those of you who consider goal-setting one of your strengths.  Welcome.  Now, as the not-yet-motivated and the already-motivated join together, let us continue.

For those who seek to live their everyday Ordinary lives for God, mere goal setting is not the end of the accomplishment.  Hear the wisdom of Solomon.  (I'll come back to the irony that the words are from Solomon).

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Proverbs 16:2-3 (NIV)
All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
    but motives are weighed by the LORD.
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.

For the person of faith, goals need to be based on more than good ideas, best guesses, and even spiritually-based assumptions.  They need to be based on the understanding that each and every one of our goals should first pass the "commit to the LORD" test.  

Now to the irony . . .

1 Kings 6:38 - 7:1 (NIV)
In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.
It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace.

Solomon inherited the build-the-temple goal from his father.  It definitely passed the "commit to the LORD" test.  However, somewhere along the journey, as stone stacked upon stone and timber met timber, David's son failed to keep his goal set on God.  Yes, Solomon completed the task; but he failed to keep it the priority.  His goals that, as best as we can tell, failed the "commit to the LORD" test led to self-glory rather than the glorification of God.  If this were not true, why did the author of 1 Kings (inspired by the Holy Spirit) make sure we are privy to the information of verse one, which include the telling word "however"?

1 Kings 7:1 (NIV)
It took Solomon thirteen years, however, [emphasis mine] to complete the construction of his palace. 

I do not want any "howevers" in my goals.

From observing life as well as reading Proverbs 16 and 1 Kings 6 and 7, I am inspired to recommend three actions for you to take as you commit to Never Stop Serving God.

1. Set goals.
2. Stay the course.
3. Stay away from "howevers".

Goodspeed as you do all three.

#ordinarylives