Goals without God are Godless Goals

Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: Ephesians 1:17-19 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

Observation: This is what is missing in much goal-setting today.

Application: Most people in leadership, myself included, find it helpful to periodically set up some goals for themselves and/or for the organization/company/business through which they serve. It’s almost standard procedure. Some are more organized than others in this regard, but nearly all would agree that setting goals of some kind is an important practice. And for me, Summer is a good time to do this important work.

The rub comes in when figuring out how to set such goals, especially in the church and/or for people of faith. The reason why it is so difficult to authentically determine such goals is because we are ultimately called not to lead but to follow! I believe it was Len Sweet who once tweeted something to the affect that Christ doesn’t need more leaders but, rather, more followers.

This is where the prayer for ‘wisdom and revelation’ mentioned in the passage above is especially needed. As we go about the important work of setting goals, it’s important—make that crucial—to listen for God’s voice/nudge/calling in the process.

This is not to presume that we always (or even ever!) know for certain the Lord’s will in such situations. Indeed, much harm has been done in society by well-intentioned people who made such presumptions. Yet humbly listening to for Gods direction with openness is a clearly a sign of the wisdom and revelation for which the writer of Ephesians most surely prayed.

Prayer: Lord, our ‘plans,’ however grandiose, are mere foolishness without your input. Help us to listen for the direction of your call. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Proverbs 30-31, Psalm 33, and Ephesians 1)