How to Set and Reach Your Goals: Part Two
In the last article, I encouraged you to begin setting goals for your ministry. By looking at the story of Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for his son, we looked at five principles of goal-setting. This week we'll look at another five principles from the story.
6. Diagnose the problems.
At this step, you need to identify the roadblocks and obstacles that are in your way. Ask yourself two questions: Why haven't I achieved this goal already? What are the barriers to achieving it?
Get Our Latest News for FREE
There may be many barriers – emotional, financial, intellectual, or relational. I'm sure Abraham's servant had many problems on his way to reaching his goal. He went to a country he'd never been to. He had to find a lady he'd never met and convince her to go back and marry a total stranger. Sounds like mission impossible!
If you're going to complete your goal, you need to figure out what's holding you back. You need to do that before you start on step number seven.
7. Design a plan.
Now that you've identified the problems, you need to figure out how to get around them. You'll want to write down some specific plans and set a deadline. Ask yourself two questions: How do I intend to get there? How long will it take?
The servant's plan was a masterpiece. In Genesis 24:10-11, it says he set up a test. He would take all his camels and have them kneel down by the water. Then he'd ask a woman for a drink of water. If she said, "Let me water your camels too," then he'd know that she was the one. Since all the water had to be drawn by hand, this woman would be going the extra mile. Then Abraham's servant said he would share his purpose with her, show her the wealth, get invited to her home – and then pop the question. He had it all planned.
8. Discipline your personality.
Nothing great is ever accomplished without discipline. While you are working on your ministry goals, God is working on you. God is much more interested in you than he is your goals. During the planning and goal-setting process, God makes changes in you. One of those important changes is in your discipline. Abraham's servant showed personal discipline in Genesis 24.
For example, he showed discipline in his decisions. When he first saw Rebekah, he didn't immediately grab her and go. He was very thoughtful and methodical as he made the decision of who to bring back to Abraham. If you're going to grow with your goals, you must let God work on you at the same time.
9. Deposit the investment.
Every goal has a price tag – every one of them. Great goals always require great sacrifices. A lot of pastors want to reach great goals, but only if it's convenient.
Abraham's servant was willing to pay a cost to fulfill his goal. Verse 53 talks about the gold, silver, and articles of clothing that he brought for Rebekah.Are you willing to pay a price to reach your goals?
10. Depend on people.
You need other people to help you reach your goals. You weren't meant to reach them on your own. Pastor, you've got to learn how to depend on other people. God works through people. Success is never a one-man show. It's always a joint effort.
Ask yourself at this stage: Who else can I involve?
Abraham's servant did everything he could to cooperate with Rebekah's family in the story. For example, he was very polite to them. He knew that in order to achieve his goal he was going to need other people – particularly Rebekah's family.
I have two questions for you. Have you clearly thought through what you want to do with the rest of your life? Get alone with God, take a planner, and take a Bible. Life is too important to waste it.
And then, what are you doing right now that's "worth it"? Are you working toward your goal? Life is too short not to do so.
