Four critical factors form the foundation of personal and organizational goal setting. When ignored, we will find ourselves, eventually, anxious and rushing, with too much to do in too little time. These include: 1. God’s First Goal for You. My first goal is to be a contemplative who dwells in God’s presence (See Ps. 27:4 for David’s modeling of this). Establishing these daily, weekly, annual rhythms to be with God comes first. 2. The Interior Movements of the Heart. I listen for the consolations and desolations of the Holy Spirit inside me. Does this initiative give me life or death as I imagine myself going this direction? 3. The Gift of Limits. Rebellion against God is tightly tied to making good plans for God that are not His. (See The Emotionally Healthy Church, chapter 8). For example, since I am called to lead out of a great marriage, every initiative is filtered through its impact on my relationship with Geri. For a list of free sermons on the gift of limits, click here. 4. Your True Self. Do these plans or goals take me out of who God has uniquely made me to be? While I enjoy the executive functions of leadership, I can only do so many hours doing this in a given week. The artistic, creative part of me that dreams and writes also requires time. This has impacted both the size and pace of New Life for the past 25 years and the number of writing projects to which I can commit. What might you add to this list?
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