How many times have you halfheartedly sought to change something about yourself, your life, your situation? We’ve all been in the place where we long to finish just one more craft project, to make time for a long luxurious bubble bath, to sit back and read the last chapter of Oliver Twist. Why can’t we get there?
What stands in the way of checkity-checking these tasks off our lists? Often, the reason is that we’ve never made the list. Tell me you do know what I’m talking about. Today we’re talking about steps to setting and achieving our spiritual growth goals.
Lofty goals are great to have, but often our daydream aspirations never transform into tangible, concrete achievements. This is especially true for me in the realm of spiritual growth. For the past year and a half I’ve been trying to memorize the Sermon on the Mount. A year and a half, folks.
I’m inspired for approximately three weeks, memorize a section down cold, scribble dry-erase drawings all over the bathroom mirror, and then somehow life takes me by the reigns and I completely forget about it. Of course, Jesus loves me despite the fact that I still stumble through the first few paragraphs, but this girl is ready for m.o.r.e. How do we get there?
How do we grow spiritually and set attainable goals? Deliberate goal-setting.
Let’s study Proverbs 31. In this passage we find numerous characteristics of that oh-so-devoted wife & mother that most Christian gals are striving to imitate. My challenge to you is to take each verse or idea and turn it into a concrete achievable goal for yourself. Really, it’s pretty simple. I’ll run you through it using Proverbs 31:20.
Here’s how to set spiritual growth goals & achieve them in six easy steps.
1. Read, read, and re-read. Read Proverbs 31 verses 10-31 a few times over prayerfully, or whichever passage you choose. Ask the Lord to guide you and touch your heart with the verse that will be your goal.
2. Select your verse or phrase.
My choice: Proverbs 31: 20, which says “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”
3. Choose a tangible way that you can begin to live out your choice verse.
I will make zipper bags full of snacks in the car to hand out to those in need who beg along the roadways. This is a common practice here in Costa Rica. At least 5 bags will temporarily live in the car at all times. Each zipper bag will contain 2 juice boxes, 1 packet of nuts, 1 granola bar, and 1 package of dried fruit snacks. I will pray over each bag as it heads out the car window.
Make a time frame commitment. Will your goal take a week/month/year?
For one year I’ll keep the car stocked up and bless absolutely every person who requests help.
Write it down!
Busting out the scrapbook supplies to make a slick poster reminder for the bulletin board, stat!
Grab a friend for accountability.
Invite the hubs to go grocery shopping for the goodies and to let me know when the stash is getting low so we can restock. Ask him to please check up with me each week to see how many blessing baggies were distributed.
See guys, it really is that simple! Setting goals for spiritual growth is a great way to stand firm in the faith and really commit to living out the Bible. I can’t wait to see what awesome aims you choose for yourselves. Tell me what verse you’re living out in the comments. If you need more guidance or are looking for an accountability partner, I’d love to back you up! Happy goal-setting!
If you liked this post, be sure to share it with a friend and also check out my favorite way to highlight the Bible.
Bre @ Peacoats and Plaid says
GREAT post! My husband and I are currently working on our spiritual growth with a church-wide 30 day challenge. When that’s done I want to try your method!
Peacoats and Plaid
Lydia says
I like these ideas! 😀
http://eternal-simplicity.blogspot.com
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
I completely agree with you about writing things down…whether it be a to-do list, or thoughts (I keep a daily journal, for example). I’ve yet to write down my spiritual growth goals…thanks for the tips! 😉
Jenn says
I love your blog look, your writing, and i love this simple practicual list. Thanks!
Christina says
I love love the idea of the ziplocks! And this list is so doable. Have a blessed day!
Mary says
Lovely post, a lot of goal setting articles stress that goals must be measurable. I would love to also know how to measure your spiritual growth via the goals.
Thanks..
Ashley @ Power, Love, and Self-Discipline says
Love this post! So often we don’t write our spiritual goals down and they quickly fall by the wayside.
Jelli says
That kind of experience is exactly what inspired me to write this post. Hope you find some time to sit down and pray over your goals for next year too, Ashley! Hope to see you around again soon!
Paige says
Love these ideas! Stopping by from SITS!
Jelli says
Thanks so much, Paige! Hope you can implement a few ideas to get a jump start for 2014.
Tonya says
Thanks for these tips. Accountability is a big part of success with a goal. Visiting you from the Saturday Sharefest! Have a great day! 🙂
Jelli says
You’re right, Tonya, accountability is really important with goals of any type. Thank you so much for taking a second out of your Saturday to stop by. Have a wonderful weekend and come back soon!
Lama Surya Das says
Spiritual growth is basic to the life of a believer. Spiritual growth requires that setting and obtaining of goals. If we desire to grow spiritually, then we need to set and strive for behavioral and functional goals that will inspire us in the right direction.
Wojciech P. P. Zieliński says
Very good tips. I wouldn’t even think about some of them. Thanks for the interesting material for further consideration.