Originally posted 12/26/23
What is a spiritual goal? Have you ever set them? Have you always wanted to set one but didn’t know where to start?
At the beginning of 2023, I decided not to set a New Year’s Resolution everyone knows I wouldn’t keep. I decided to set spiritual goals instead. One could argue that they are the same thing. I had to call it something different if I had a chance of keeping them. I was selecting “intentional” as my word of the year so it seemed fitting. Gone would be the resolution to lose ten pounds. It was replaced as something more meaningful for me.
I decided to set spiritual goals that focused on my relationship with the Lord. I wanted to grow closer to the Lord. I had seen the posts where people recommend 12 books to read over the course of a year. I asked for recommendations and then selected 12 nonfiction books designed to deepen my relationship. I have completed 12 books, but not the original ones. I did allow God to change my choices.
The second goal was to read the Bible chronologically. I have tried for several years to read the Bible in a year. Each time I get lost partway through the Old Testament. Reading the Bible this way has given me such a better appreciation for the complete story of Scripture. Happily, I can report that I am on schedule to complete it by December 31.
The third goal has been much more difficult to complete. I have always been more reluctant to share the gospel because I am terrible at memorizing things. It doesn’t matter what it is, I struggle to memorize anything. Memorizing one verse a month didn’t seem so daunting in January. I even wrote it in my planner each month. However, I didn’t look at my planner for 3 months. Let’s just say that I have not memorized 12 verses. I am somewhere around 5.
If I were to grade my progress, I would have an 80 percent success rate. It’s better than in years past. I’ve learned much about the faithfulness of God. I am closer to the Lord than I was in January. Satan wants me to believe the year was wasted and I failed once again. I will not accept that the progress on my goals was a failure.
I will continue to strive to memorize more scripture. I want to hide God’s word in my heart. I may have to include memorizing scripture as part of my 2024 goals.
My best advice for keeping your goals on track is to get an accountability partner.