Vision and Goals for 2018

Read: Psalm 119:1-16           

Soon after the completion of Disney World in Florida someone said, “Isn’t it too bad that Walt Disney didn’t live to see this?”  Mike Vance, the creative director of Disney Studios at that time replied, “He did see it, that’s why it’s here.”  Vision and goals can help us see things and work towards things in the future.

A new year means resolutions for many people.  A resolution is usually a vision or goal that one makes for the future.  Often those goals revolve around health, family, money, or making a life change that will improve our quality of life.  But what if this year included spiritual goals and a vision for growing your faith in God?

God’s Word is full of ideas of ideas for how this can happen in your life.  Psalm 119:1-16 speaks of the importance of God’s Word, God’s ways, and God’s plan for your life.  Take some time this week to think about these suggestions from Pastor James White on how to make that happen.  Read the passages that go with each one to see what the Lord says about them.

  1. Pray more. (Zechariah 4:6)
  2. Invest in your spiritual gifts. (1Timothy 4:14-15)
  3. Get more intentional about sharing the good news. (1 Corinthians 9:22)
  4. Care for yourself spiritually. (Philippians 3:12)
  5. Make the tough decisions you know are best. (Acts 20:22-24)
  6. Confront debilitating patterns of sin. (Hebrews 12:1)
  7. Do the hard work needed to build community. (Matthew 18:15)
  8. Keep in touch with things going on in the world. (1 Chronicles 12:32)
  9. Quit comparing yourself to others. (John 21:20-23)
  10. Read more, listen more, learn more, and grow more. (2 Timothy 4:9,13)

One time a man approached a laborer who was laying bricks and asked him, “What are you doing?” The laborer said, “Can’t you see I’m laying bricks?”  The man then walked over to another bricklayer and asked, “What are you doing?” And the workman answered with pride, “I’m building a cathedral.” 

Both were physically doing the same thing. But the first laborer was occupied with the present task, and the other was concerned with the ultimate goal or vision of the finished project.  I once heard someone say, “Vision that looks inward becomes duty. Vision that looks outward becomes aspiration.  Vision that looks upward becomes faith.”

Make it Personal:   Many visions are cast, goals made, and resolutions proclaimed in our lives.  None are more important than those that pertain to our faith in God, trust in Jesus Christ, and our eternal destiny.  Hopefully all of us can grow in these areas in the year that lies ahead.

Have a great 2018,  Pastor Glen Rhodes
Arthur Mennonite Church