“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly”
------iCor.9:26
What about goals? In the last chapter, we concluded that we can do whatever we need to do in order to fulfill the divine purpose for our lives. Having realized this all- important truth, we need to come to define what it is we need to accomplish. As someone said, "If you shoot at nothing, you're sure to hit it.” So the first real step toward success would be to define our dreams and set our goals or objectives. Thus, I want to devote this chapter to the matter of dreams, goals or objectives. I say "goals or objectives" because I just came across an article by Vincent Razz which blew me away, distinguishing between the meaning of these words. He says that “goals are ridged and create fear of not making them or, once we have them of losing them, while objectives, on the other hand, are flexible.” I see the importance of what the author is trying to say, and I believe that is what you see in my novel, Of Such Is The Kingdom. With Pilate‘s wife, Manaheem and even Barabbas, it would seem to fall more under the category of objectives, since no solid date was set for any of their plans. At any rate, you‘ll have to make up your mind whether you want to use the term "goal" or "objective." The point is, that we need some clear direction. Otherwise, we will be drifting. A dream is similar to a goal or objective, except that it relates more to the big picture. Your dream can also be your very long-range goal, but you should probably also set short-range goals or objectives. Let‘s not fuss over the name at this point, but you might want to mentally substitute the word "objectives" for the word "goals.”
That having been said, allow me to quote from some material on goals I received in a success course I attended. Did you know that only 3% of the people are ever instructed on goal setting, and out of that 3%, only 1% ever follow through? Why do you think that is? There are four reasons why most people do not set goals: 1) They don‘t know how. 2) It‘s too much trouble. 3) They don‘t have faith in their ideas of the goals they do think about setting, and 4).they begin on a long-range basis and this prevents them from seeing immediate results, so they become discouraged, and fail to set short range goals.
How to set Goals: first, Discover your divine purpose (see chapter 4) and write it down. Second, Set your priorities (see chapter 5). Third, Make a needs list based on your purpose, priorities, and vision. Fourth, Make a personal inventory list covering all areas of life (physical, family, social mental business [financial & career} and Spiritual. List your strengths and weaknesses in each area. And, fifth, combine the lists. - These will be the goals you should try to reach.
For each goal you must answer these six questions:
1: Is it really my goal?
2: Is it morally right and fair?
3: Will it benefit others as well as me?
4: Are my short-range goals consistent with my long-range goals?
5: Can I commit myself emotionally to complete the project?
6: can I visualize myself reaching this goal?
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QUOTABLE QUOTES:
1) "The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
---Allan K. Chalmers
2) "A visionary is one who can find his way by moonlight and see the dawn before the rest of the world."
---Oscar Wilde
3) "The proof of desire is pursuit."
---Mike Murdock
4) “Success is "the progressive achievement of a God-given goal, resulting in feeling good about your life."
--The word for today
5) "Aim at nothing and you're sure to hit it."
---Zig Ziegler
6) "Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you."
---Jim Rohm
7 ) "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
---Jeremiah 29:11
8) "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air."
---Paul (ICor.9:26)
9) "I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God...."
---Paul (Philippians 14)