Every year at this time, I spend time reflecting on the previous year and then goal setting for the coming year. I look at many different areas of my life; my spiritual, physical, financial, as well as relational areas of my life. Many of the goals that I set last year have fallen to the wayside early on in the year. Most of those goals fall into the physical category. I start the year out with great aspirations concerning my health and physical well-being, but I allow that area to wane. I always want to do better in every area of my life. I want to be healthier than I was the previous year. I want to be more responsible with my finances than the year before as well. I want to have a deeper relationship with God and to reflect Him more clearly than I did. I desire my relationship with my wife and children to be better and growing. This exercise, to some is an exercise of futility, has provided me with at least some semblance of how I am progressing from year to year…Even if that semblance is more of a façade than an actual reality.
As I look at some things concerning 2009, I realize that I have pretty much treaded water in many areas of my life. I still need to lose weight. I still need to be more disciplined financially. I have read more in 2009 than any other year, except maybe when I was in seminary. I am actually finishing books now, which is always a good thing. I believe that I have broadened the genres of books that I am reading as well. My understanding of God continues to be stretched along with my faith in Him. The more I learn about Him, the more I realize that I do not know that much about Him. I continue to seek Him and the knowledge of Him so that I might reflect Him more. Finally, my relationships with my wife and children are growing or at least changing. I am learning how to live in an empty nest and learning to parent adult children. All of these changes have challenged me because so much of this is different than when children are totally dependent on you as a parent. I wonder how well I did on any of these relationships and areas of my life. I do believe that some areas are better or stronger, while other areas of my life need a great deal of work. Overall, 2009 was not as horrible for me as I have heard others say, but obviously it could have been better.
Now it is time to move to the goal setting for 2010. I realize that if I actually write any of my goals, that I will be providing a level of accountability that I have never had before. That probably would not be a bad thing as the right accountability helps keep me focused on where I am headed and the direction I need to be going in many areas of my life. One of the obvious goals for 2010 is to lose weight and get healthy. I have already started trying to eat better. I have set some goals for an actual weight for the end of 2010 as well as pant sizes, etc. I will not share those goals, but hopefully it will be apparent if I reach them or not. I have also set some reading goals as well as some goals for my counseling ministry. Making learning a priority in 2010 is a decision that will take time and effort on my part. I never want to be guilty of stopping the learning process. The more I am learning, the more I realize I need to learn. The other areas of my life will be more difficult to share or even to measure. In my relationship with God, does just praying more mean that I have a better fellowship with Him or that I am reflecting Him better? Does reading the Bible more mean that I am maturing as a Christian? Again, hopefully as you observe me or read my writings, you will notice the changes that God is making in me. Finally, in the area of my family relationships I desire for them to grow and mature in a way that my family gives God glory. I desire for us to be an example to others on how to have a godly family. How will that be measured? This too will have to be observed by others.
Why have I written this today? Am I just trying to fill up space on my blog? Am I just writing something to be writing? I do not think so. Many people have asked about setting goals or resolutions for each New Year. I believe setting goals can be helpful to keep you on track. Goals also measure your levels of success in different areas. I desire to maintain a focus in 2010 that many times has faded in the past. My prayer is writing this today is one way that will allow me to keep focused on what is important to me and not allow the mundane of each day to get in the way.
I have not reached all of my goals that I have set over the years. I have reached several of them and I will continue to strive to reach my goals. Have you set any goals for 2010? Are you going to enlist any help in keeping you accountable in reaching your goals? I would love to hear what helps you in reaching your goals and in keeping you focused through the completion of each goal.
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NASB)
29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
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