Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13, KJV).
With the start of the new year, people have a tendency to set resolutions. However, most of the population doesn’t abide their own resolutions. It’s better to create a goals instead. A goal is a desired destination with an expected end. Scripture teaches us to set goals in our lives (Luke 14:28). Paul even stated that he had set a goal to press toward the mark of the high calling in Jesus (Philippians 3:14). But, in all of our goal-setting, we need to make sure we set the right kind of goals.
Solomon was David’s son. When God came to him in a dream and asked him what he wanted, instead of asking for riches and fame, Solomon asked God for wisdom to do the job God called him to do. We consider Solomon one of the wisest men in the Bible.
The book of Ecclesiastes was Solomon’s journey to discover life. He used all of his resources to find life lessons. In all of his research, he discovered a common theme: all of life was vanity (Ecclesiastes 2:10–11). Solomon tested everything; he knew there were variances in life, but we’d all end up in the same place. There’s only one thing that gives value to this life—fearing God and keeping His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
If we’re to set any goals in this life, they need to be the right goals. Right goals are goals that do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:7–8). Our goals need to fall under the qualifications of God’s goals. If we don’t, our goals will be nothing but vanity.
Our goals need to bring God glory. If they don’t then it isn’t a goal worth going after. We must allow God to direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9). The most important goal we can have is seeking the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
We may want to be right in setting our goals, but there’s only one person who’s right—God (Hosea 14:9). We can never go wrong by making a goal by way of the Lord. He is the way, truth, and the life (John 14:6). God goals will always point us to do the right things.
God has given us the power to live life above sin. If we don’t do what’s right, it’s a sin (James 4:17). A God goal can’t just manifest in our heads; we must put it into action. In order to follow a God goal, we must take steps of faith in Him. We’re called to follow after Him. The first step of a God goal is always the hardest, but it’s the most powerful.