SMART goals for people of faith

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)  

Many of us use SMART-goals both privately and at work. The SMART model can help us specify our goals and make good plans for how to reach them. The model does, however, contain some challenges for people of faith. Let us quickly look at the SMART-goals from a faith perspective. 

Specific 

The Bible shows that God many times give specific tasks to people. A few examples are Abraham who was called to go to the promised land (Genesis 12), Moses who was called to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3), and Jonah was called to go to Nineveh (Jonah 1). God can give us similar, specific calls today as well. We should always pray for guidance and be open for his explicit instructions. We must however not forget the general call and goals that God has already given to us. One of the last instructions Jesus gave to his disciples, was to go and make disciples of nations. When we set our personal, specific goals, we must not forget the God’s overall plan that he wants our lives to be aligned to.  

Measurable 

We often have numbers in mind when we think about measurable goals. Big goals with high numbers can easily be seen as signs of strong faith. It looks, however, that the Bible has a different emphasis. Numbers are mostly outside focus. Jesus invested most of his life in just a few people. The most quoted Bible verse, John 3:16, which is often called “the little Bible”, was initially shared with only one person. Let us keep all this in mind when we pray for God’s guidance and seek what measurable goals, he wants us to pursue.  

Achievable 

Achievable is a difficult word for followers of Jesus. Many of us will think within our own strength and capacity when we consider if things are achievable or not. As people of faith, we should however also expect God to provide. When Jesus called his disciples to go to “the ends of the earth,” they did not have the resources to do so. They did, however, know that the one who was calling them had all the supplies needed. Let us be wise stewards of the resources God has given us as we plan our future. Let us at the same time not forget that God is our provider and that he from time to time asks us to take steps in faith even if all the resources we need are not yet there.  

Relevant 

From the first chapter of the Bible, God creates the society and provides what is needed for life to flourish. The God who created everything that we can see and experience, has asked us to “tend and watch over” the garden he has created us in. Let us use our skills fully and set goals that honor God and are relevant and of benefit for the people around us.  

Time-bound 

We often want things to happen quickly. The quickest thing to grow, is however often our impatience. It is good to have ambitions. As we seek God’s guidance when we set our goals, we must however keep in mind that God’s timing can be different from ours. So, let us trust him even when things are not developing at the pace we desire. Remember that “A Day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.”  2Pet 3:8 

Challenge 

Has God given you visions, either a long time ago or recently, that you have not yet worked out? What can you do to take new steps in fulfilling the vision he has given to you? 

Pray 

Dear father, help me to always seek your advice as I make my plans. Give me wisdom so I can walk in faith, trust your provision, and be a good steward of the resources that you have given.