"Do You Have an End Goal?"
A goal is just a dream with a deadline.
New Year’s resolutions often look like lists of things we are going to start doing January 1st and keep doing infinitely. But realistically, we hang on to most of that list until February or March and our determination is lost in the day to day of life.
Proverbs 23:15-18 says, “My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”
You may find it easier to stick to the list of things you want to do, achieve, or become if you start your year with an end goal in mind. To set yourself up for success, the scripture reference above is a great place to start.
It starts with King Solomon saying that if his son’s heart was wise, his own heart would rejoice. Our goals should have purpose and should be chosen through wisdom from the Lord. Pray about what goals to set for the new year and seek His will. I John 5:14-15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
Solomon goes on to tell his son that his reins would rejoice when his son spoke right things. James 3:5 says, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.” Our words have the potential to be wise, uplifting, and compassionate or they can be foolish, bitter, and destructive. Either way, words have the ability to make a life changing impact. Purposing in your heart to speak right things can set the tone for everything else you’re going to accomplish in the new year.
In verse 17 of Proverbs 23, he tells his son not to envy sinners, but fear the Lord; specifically, all the day long. It is so easy to set our eyes on the materialistic efforts and successful outcomes of the world and want to copy a logical man-made formula of success. And while sometimes you can find good resources from others, our greatest strength comes in fearing the Lord, and trusting in His plan.
Finally, we are reminded from the scripture that “there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.” There is an end that is the end of time and we will forever be with the Lord. But the same can be applied for the more near future. What are you wanting to accomplish by the end of the week? End of the month? End of the quarter? Do you have a set goal for the end of 2025?
John 15:7 says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” And in Psalms 145:19, “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Our expectation shall not be cut off. The Lord’s well of blessings is deep and His arm is not short. He desires to bless us with His abundance if we abide in Him. Your goals may be small or they may be a seemingly impossible dream to achieve, but whatever it is, go into the year fearing the Lord, asking and believing for it.