Spiritual Goals

Before I get into my devotional today, I just want to say I cannot get over how many times I will start writing a devotional or jot down an idea for future publication here and go to church on Sunday to hear something similar in the message. Sometimes, I may write something down and later read another devotional that is similar in nature.

Many times, I pause to question whether I should hit the publish button afterwards or not?! I have a few readers who are friends and attend church with me, so I don’t want anyone to think I’m stealing someone else’s ideas or plagiarizing!

Yet, my next thought is “Wow!” This is something God must want me to hear! Maybe, this is a message that God wants shared too. So, I usually go ahead with my topic. This is one I that I drafted right before the holidays and then heard a guest speaker at my church over Christmas mention it in his sermon. It’s about the importance of making spiritual goals for the New Year.

Do you typically set new goals or reevaluate your goals at the beginning of the New Year? I personally don’t like to make New Year resolutions but do like to set goals for myself throughout any given year. I try to make some which usually involve getting healthy and organized. Plus, I seem to always be working on improving my daily routines.

Yet, what about spiritual goals? I must admit that sometimes I don’t give them as much thought, put them high on the list, or think as much about how I will achieve them as other goals. Well, whether it’s the beginning of a New Year or not, I can actively try to do something about this!

While I strive to make spending time in God’s Word everyday a priority, I can make more than one spiritual goal. After all, I do this in other areas of my life. Maybe, other goals should include how I will serve God or work in my Church this year. We also can all make goals to improve ourselves or break bad habits.

My first thought for 2021 is that I just want God to use me to be a blessing to others. As I reflect on the difficulties of 2020, I remind myself just how much God has blessed me in spite of going through some hardships!

I really so much want others to feel the joy of the many blessings we have each day from the Lord, and I want God to use me to bless others I meet in small and big ways! I want to be a light for Him, an encourager in faith and hope, and to always glorify Him in everything I do.

There is much I need to do to work on this spiritual goal such as choosing positivity, cultivating more patience and gentleness (starting at home), and living a more disciplined life. With His help, I know I can achieve my goals!

So if you like to make goals for yourself, I encourage you to set some spiritual ones too. Make them a priority. Placing God at the head of our goal planning is the most important thing we can do to have a successful year.

I pray all of you are greatly blessed each day in 2021. Have a wonderful New Year!