Goals in life are important. No one would deny that. Why is it, then, that we have trouble achieving the goals that we set? When setting goals of any kind, too often we get hasty and overconfident. How many can relate to setting a goal for the new year only to give up a week or two later? Spiritual goals more often than not suffer the same fate. We need to plan out our goals so that we have the best chance of succeeding.  Otherwise, we set ourselves up for failure before we even begin.

Our goals need to be clearly defined. In Hebrews 12:1 our spiritual life is compared to a race that we are running. I like this analogy because a race has a clearly defined goal: the finish line. We know how far it is from the start line to the finish line. We know exactly where the finish line is. We know when the race is. If we decide that our goal is to “run more” and never define the goal past that point, how far do we have to go to achieve that goal? I can run across the yard and say that I ran more. We can all see the nonsense in that. However, what if I say that at least 4 times per week, I am going to run for 30 minutes in the morning. That is a clearly defined goal that is quantifiable. I’d like to use the example of reading our Bible. A goal often set by Christians is to “read the Bible more.” What exactly does that mean? How much are you going to read? When will you read it? What passages will you read? These questions appear so necessary to the goal, and indeed they are. However, simple questions like this are often left unanswered and, consequently, our goals are left undefined.

Don’t go it alone. When running a race, I for one like to have someone running beside me. It is so easy to give up when you are alone. Your body gives out and you feel like you’ve had enough. You look around and see that there’s no one running beside you, and you start to feel like you are the only one even trying. This can be depressing. After a while you start to question whether the goal is worth all the effort. With a person running by our side, we can lean on each other and encourage each other. When trying to read the scriptures on a regular basis, get someone to read with you: maybe a friend or a spouse. This goes hand-in-hand with the next point.

Be accountable to someone. Many times, we cheat on our goals. Maybe we planned on reading three chapters, but instead we only read one. Perhaps we skipped entire days. Before you know it, you are behind in your goal and catching up may be difficult or impossible. Have someone check on your progress. When you have someone alongside of you trying to reach the same goal, this becomes easy. Push each other. Make sure that daily goals are met. Don’t allow excuses to be made. When these things are done, you will find setting and accomplishing goals to be much easier. 
Our ultimate goal is Heaven. Philippians 3:14 reads “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Let’s all encourage one another and help each other in our goals to improve ourselves spiritually. We are all running after the same goal of Heaven. “So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Cor 9:24)