A “bucket-list”—what one wants to accomplish before “kicking the bucket”— is a form of goal-setting, although a bit negative!
Goals are extremely important! Those of every generation not taught to set goals and to work daily toward achieving them, are fundamentally without direction and, over time, become resentfully hopeless. Even if they manage to find and keep a job, they often spend much of their discretionary time absorbing meaningless garbage: inert in front of the TV or computer, or choosing the pointless pursuit of the next video game level. Women with no personal goals often remain inappropriately enmeshed in adult children’s lives. An essential part of our God-given design is to successfully pursue meaning and productivity. Therefore, we will compulsively strive—to the point of controlling, stealing, hoarding, rejecting or killing—to get and hold onto anything we believe will bring meaning and purpose into our lives. When the earthly things we’ve sought after (money, relationships, power, prestige etc.) don’t produce the anticipated meaning and security, anxiety, depression, bitterness and rage toward people and God will set in. Medication cannot heal this problem!
Proverbs 29:18: Where no vision or redemptive revelation of God exists, people perish; but he is blessed and fortunate who keeps God’s precepts and statutes. This includes that of man.
The Hebrew meaning of several of these words shows we could accurately translate this verse in this way: Where there is no future dream along with the revelation of God, people are reduced to irrelevancy; they become emotionally naked and vulnerable. But the one who knows God and knows he is created in God’s own likeness, moves consistently, lawfully and purposefully forward. He is blessed and fortunate! (Strong’s Concordance: OT 6544; 2377) The eternal purpose for which we were created is to be loved by God. Life has meaning simply because He loves us, delights in us and provides for us. We are not to make goals and productivity—no matter how honorable— the reason for our existence or the basis of our worth. Rather, we are to take the purpose and meaning we receive from being God’s beloved son or daughter into our professions and productivity as we continually expand God’s Kingdom.
Setting productive goals requires diligence. Diligence is making choices to do what’s necessary: not because we feel like doing it, or even because we can see the immediate benefit, but because we know we are created in God’s image! Out of that understanding, we do the wise and essential things in a timely manner from His life-power in us.
The Bible never rejects goal-setting as a “worldly mindset”—in fact, it speaks often of the intents and purposes of our hearts and minds. We call these attitudes, plans and goals. Our attitude determines whether the goals we choose are worldly or Godly. Two examples of goal-setting: “I’m planning to take as many people into heaven with me as possible.” (Godly goal that results in sharing the Gospel and discipling.)
“I’ll live however I want. It will be my kids’ problem when I die. I don’t care.” (Ungodly goal that results in self-centeredness: often hoarding or overspending.)
Proverbs 10:4; 13:4: Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches…the appetite of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is abundantly supplied. (AMP) Philippians 2:2-3; Proverbs 2:21-22: Agree together, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals (future intent) and the way you think. Whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide… have two goals: wisdom, which is knowing and doing right, and common sense. Don’t let them slip away, for they fill you with living energy, bringing honor and respect. (TLB) Send your questions and comments to: Infinite Grace Ministries P.O. Box 466 1414 Cypress Dr.
Weatherford, OK 73096 580-774-2884 https://www.facebook.com Infinite Grace Ministries
