Write the Vision, Make it Plain

Setting Goals for the New Year

By: Deborah H. Bateman

 

Have you started thinking about setting your goals for next year? What would you like to accomplish? Have you prayed about it and asked God what he would have you to do in the next year? I have a scripture passage I wanted to share with you that I think relates to goal setting or what some might call at the first of the year New Year’s Resolutions.

Habakuk 2:2-4

2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make [it] plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

4 Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

 

A good way to get started setting goals may be to look back at what you accomplished last year through the help of the Lord. Look at where you are and where you want to go. What are some of the next steps you need to take to get you to your goals? You may break your goals up into quarters, months, weeks, and even daily goals.

I am not one to have every detail figured out like some people are, but I do like to look back at the past year and see what God has done in my life and look forward to the next year to see what He will do. But, this Scripture tells us to write the vision and make it plain. The more details we can come up with the easier it is to try to follow the plan.

Of course, we can’t plan the whole year in advance, because there will be circumstances that happen in our lives during the year that we have no idea will happen. But, it is a good idea to write down some things that you would like to do during the year and track your progress along the way.

I do find I remember things better if I write them down. Even when I make a grocery list and leave it in my purse or at home when I go to the store, just the act of writing it down helps me to remember it. I may not remember everything on the list, but I am more likely to remember more of the things I need to do or get if I write them down. So, I do think there is some validity to writing our goals down.

In this Scripture it reminds us to write it down and make it plain so those who read it can run with it. This reminds me of a team that is working together to accomplish a goal. Each member of the team needs to know what the team goals are. They also need to know what the plans are to reach those goals and what their part is in reaching the goals.

The next verse reminds us to stick with the vision, even though it may take longer than expected, if you hang in there it will eventually happen. Things don’t always happen when we want them to happen, but God rewards those who are faithful. Sometimes it may take longer than expected, but with determination, and the teamwork of others finally your goals will be accomplished.

What are some of the things you may want to set goals concerning. How about:

Personal Goals – Where do you see yourself one year from now?

Spiritual Goals – Where would you like to be in your spiritual life by the end of the year and what is it going to take for you to get there?

Physical Goals – How would you like to improve your physical well-being? Do you want to lose weight? If so, how much? Do you need to eat more fruits and vegetables? Do you need to exercise more? What kind of exercise will you do? How many days a week will you exercise?

Mental Goals – What do you want to learn in the coming year? Do you need to take some classes to learn it?

Emotional Goals – How about your relationships? Do you need to improve them? How will you go about improving your emotional state?

Business and Career Goals – Do you have a dream of a certain career goal? Is there a certain level you would like to reach in your business? What do you need to do to get there?

Financial Goals – What are your financial goals for the coming year? What do you need to do to accomplish your financial goals?

Look at each of these areas. See where you are now and where you would like to be by the end of the year. Then, start to plan the steps it will take for you to get to each goal. Set goals for each quarter, month, week, or every day to get to the end result.

Go ahead and pray about your vision for the next year, ask God to help you clarify it by showing you what His will is for you in the coming year. When He shows you what He wants you to do, write it down. Check your progress periodically. Look forward to what this year will bring and what you can accomplish with the help of the Lord. You may be surprised. You may even accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible. May God bless you and your family as you embark on the New Year.

 

revised 12/27/2012 by

Deborah H. Bateman

 

**Write the Vision, Make it Plain was originally published on one of my Facebook friend’s site Like A Team at:

http://www.likeateam.com/2011/12/31/write-the-vision-make-it-plain-setting-goals-for-the-new-year/

The original version was also published in Living Better at 50+ magazine.