December 3, 2007
Sunriver, OR
26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
It is interesting how people respond to talk about goal setting.
Some give spiritual excuses such as, “I don’t need goals, I just walk by the Spirit and do whatever God wants.”
Some offer a more practical excuse, “I am too busy and cannot do another thing.”
Others are just plain honest, “Hey I am enjoying life right now so why would I want to try anything new?”
But some get it. Some go for it. Some embrace goals and begin to put together their “God list” for the coming year.
In verse 26 Paul says, “I do not run like a man running aimlessly.” Paul had direction. Paul had aspirations. Paul had a plan.
Paul had goals. A man should have goals.
Paul knew what God wanted him to do and had his “God list” of taking the gospel to the non-Jewish (Gentile) world. A goal is something we have not accomplished but have a desire or dream to complete. A goal seeks a next-level experience. For example, I have goals of being a published author, going on an African safari, having a national minsitry to men, and speaking around the country.
Except for the safari, these were dreams until I began working on them. A dream is transformed into a goal when a man decides to take action. Reaching a goal takes time, discipline, action, and God’s blessing. The first step then in achieving or reaching a goal is to make one! Set a goal! Find an objective!
Put your dream to action!
After having his goal Paul tells us in verse 27, “I beat my body and make it my slave.” Goals require discipline. Discipline is the natural and subsequent result of goal setting. To reach a higher level means discovering new ways to climb. Men get discouraged with goals simply because they do not count the cost and are not willing to work for it. What will it cost to achieve your goals? How much will it hurt? Who else will have to pay the price for your goals - your wife, your kids, your friends?
Before you “officially” set your goals, count the cost. Can you handle it? Do you have the guts? Are you willing to take the pain? Are you willing to make the sacrifice?
