P31W: Goal-Setter and Goal-Achiever

Do you have any goals in life? I know I do. But sometimes I feel "goal-less" like I'm just floating here and there, doing school, going to church but not really accomplishing anything. Do you ever feel like that? Am I alone there?

I have things I'd like to accomplish, but I never really have "set out" to do them. I haven't put my best foot forward to make it happen. In the Bible, the Proverbs 31 Woman is commended for her determination and her goal-setting and goal-achiever . Listen:

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. (Proverbs 31:16)

 Whoa. You can tell from this verse that the P31W knew exactly what she wanted. She had money saved, considered, bought and field and then planted a vineyard. I wish my life was a little more like that. A step by step process. First thing to remember: consideration. She looks at all possibilities. She ponders, and mulls things over before making a move. One of the first things we should do in considering something, is pray:

James 1:5“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

God is the source of ALL knowledge, so naturally, thats the place to start. Then, seek counsel from the older and wiser:

"Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory." (Proverbs 11:14)

 I can see her now. She drives by on her donkey and sees a for sale sign on a field. She knows that she can help her husband a make a profit on that field. So her wheels start turning. She mentions it to her best friend, her mom and husband. She prays for wisdom and listens to advice given to her.

She gathers her saving and buys the field.

This may seem elementary, but I have noticed that some people fuss and whine about decisions they have to make without making the decision. They put it off as long as possible and don't want to deal with the consequences of making the wrong choice. Yes, there are consequences for making the wrong decisions, but really, we can't know them all. Consequences for decisions are part of life! As long as it doesn't rebel against something in God's Word or puts someones life in danger its okay to just make a decision and whatever happens, happens. Dealing with results of choices is something that will mature us spiritually, whether the results are good or bad. (See Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung for great help on this.)

Buying the field wasn't a morally right or wrong decision the P31W had to make, so she took advice, prayed for help and bought it realizing she would have to handle the bad results with Godly character just like she would handle the good ones. :)

This is how it needs to be in our life. Goal making and then doing. We sit around to much. Find something you want/need to accomplish and do it. If you want to learn to knit well, pray that God will help you learn and bless you, get a book and KNIT! Even bless people with it by making blankets for Crisis Pregnancy Centers or something. If you feel like you aren't doing enough, do something. It takes discipline to learn a skill or help others or take on a responsibility, but discipline creates character in a Proverbs 31 Teen,  so we can't be afraid of it. It may require hard work, but the P31W sets a great example of rolling up her sleeves and diving into every task she encounters.

Here are some ideas:
-Memorize scripture
-Start a Bible study
-Have daily devotions
-Learn a skill or take a skill you have to the next level (this is great! Don't be satisfied using your talents half-way for the Lord!)
-Study something
-Have a yard sale to un-junk your house
-Get a job
-learn to cook

Seriously? I could go on forever. Whatever it is you feel like god has placed in your path to do, tackle it. Set a goal and accomplish. You may think you can't but God tells us that His people are "more than conquerors." What a promise!

Q4U: What goals are you setting out to accomplish and how do you plan on doing it? Just don't talk about it, draw a map of a step-by-step plan to get it done!