There’s something about setting goals that excites and excites me, maybe it’s the expectation of doing something amazing next year, like running a marathon, reading the whole Bible, or finally writing this book I thought about. get rid of those bad habits of waking up too late or eating regularly that can shorten my life in the long run. I like to set great goals that challenge me.
However, in recent years I have begun to notice something in myself: small goals combined with fidelity produce the best results.
- An example: I don’t think I’ll run a marathon again.
- I’d love to.
- But my knee hurts and I don’t have time to train for a marathon.
- However.
- With God’s help.
- I can discipline myself to Run 20 to 25 minutes several times a week.
- Another example: I have trouble reading the whole Bible in a year.
- I’ve read it.
- But it doesn’t work particularly for me and my personality.
- However.
- I can read the Bible.
- Bible and pray for 35 to 45 minutes most days before the beginning of my day.
- One last example: I don’t have hours or hours to dedicate to a book.
- Music.
- Or any other creative project.
- However.
- I can find 20-30 minutes several times a week.
I began to realize that trying to be faithful in these small areas has wonderful long-term results. The more I run, the better I feel. The more constantly I read my Bible, the more I grow by walking with God. The more I work on writing, the better I get. I have two young children, one on the way and I am a pastor in a church, I don’t have much time to dedicate to things. However, I can be faithful and God honors faithfulness, even in the little things.
In Luke 16. 10, Jesus said
Anyone who is faithful is at least as faithful; who is at least unfair is at least unfair.
Proverbs 13. 4 says:
The soul of the sloth desires and nothing happens, but the soul of the diligent has had enough.
The scriptures repeatedly emphasize the value of diligence. God rewards diligence, fidelity, and hard work. We probably won’t see the results right away, but in time we’ll see. It’s like building a house. When you put the first bricks, it doesn’t look like a house at all, however, as you work slowly and methodically toward your goal, things start to take shape.
Let me show you some steps to follow
Okay, now it’s your turn, what little goals are you going to pursue this year?