While I’m Working on My Goals, God Is Working on Me

In review of Philippians 3:12 it says, “I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize.”

Bottom Line:

I may not have reached my goal or am perfect by any means. However when Christ has taken hold of me, I keep on striving toward the prize.

What this means to me:

I am not perfect nor have I reached my ultimate goal. However Christ has taken hold of me and now I serve him. With this in mind, I keep on running and working toward the ultimate prize he offers.

Two days ago I looked at why setting goals is important. In summary from that day, setting goals helped me because they provided me hope that keeps me moving and enduring.

A goal doesn't necessarily need to be big in order to motivate me. Last year when I was sick and had multiple surgeries, my first goal in recovery was to work toward standing up and after that was being able walk around. This may have been a small goal, but it was important, because to get me from where I am to success isn't one big leap, It’s many small steps. A goal doesn't have to be big to be important; it just has to encourage me to carry on.

Next, I set goals in order to build my character. The greatest benefit in life may not be my accomplishments but rather what happens inside me while I’m moving toward my goals. God is more interested in my character than he is in my accomplishments. So, while I’m working on my goal, God is working on me. He is building my character, and my character is what’s going to last for eternity.

That’s why Paul says in Philippians 3:12, “I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize” (CEV). It takes energy, effort, and purpose to reach a goal, and the result is that I can become more like Christ.

Lastly, I should set goals because good goals will be rewarded. Proverbs 11:27 reminds me, “If your goals are good, you will be respected” (TEV). When I give my life to a good goal, it brings honor and builds his kingdom.

Real rewards in setting good goals will ultimately come in eternity. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:25-26, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step” (NLT). Paul was a purpose driven goal setter. I need to be that way too so that I can win the prize that God has prepared for me in Heaven.

In summary, my goals don’t need to be big, they just need to be something to encourage me. Goals are part of building my overall character, which is what God is interested in most. God will reward me in his timing for how I use and develop what he has provided me with. So as I plan my goals, I want God to work in my life so that I can please him and accomplish what he has planned for me.