SEARCHLIGHT
What are your short-term and long-term goals?
SCRIPTURE
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” Nehemiah 2:4b,5 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
The story is told about a shoe salesman who was sent to Africa many, many years ago. He wired his manufacturer saying, “I want to come home. Nobody wears shoes in this part of the world.” So his company brought him home and sent another salesman in his place. This man was soon requesting order after order of shoes to be sent to him. He wrote to his company office saying, “Everybody here needs shoes!” Both men had a different perspective. One man saw a problem while the other saw a goal. One man was blind while the other was very smart.
Most people desire to be smart. But are you effective at what you do? You have been created by God to accomplish things. Have you set any wise goals for this year, for today, and even for your life? They will help you make significant accomplishments. What are your objectives for the present and the future? Making intelligent plans is necessary for success. Ask yourself, “What are my smart goals?”
In 1981 George T. Doran published an article in “Management Review” entitled “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management Goals and Objectives.” He proceeded to outline that effective goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Nehemiah is a wonderful example of someone who set S.M.A.R.T. goals for his life:
- Specific - In today’s Scripture focus, he identified this to the king. He wanted to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.
- Measurable – Nehemiah believed this could be done if the king granted him safe conduct and the use of timber from the king’s forest.
- Achievable – Nehemiah knew his goal could be achieved with the help of all the Jerusalem inhabitants working together. Unity would be key to success. Throughout his story, he credits God for making him successful in everything he did.
- Relevant – Nehemiah wanted to rebuild the Jerusalem wall for the safety of the inhabitants.
- Time-bound – Nehemiah told the king how long this adventure would take. [Nehemiah 2:6] Later in the book, we learn he rebuilt the wall in 52 days. That was record time.
SOMETHING TO DO
Now is the time to establish your objectives for today, tomorrow, and the future. Setting goals and making plans is something God wants you to do. Read Proverbs 6:6-8; 16:3,9; 19:21; 21:5; 24:7; Job 42:2 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Ask the following questions: What do I want to be? What do I want to do? What do I want to accomplish? How can I know when I reached my goals? What will I need to do to reach my goals? Are my goals pleasing to God?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord God, You are all wise. Grant me Your wisdom when I make goals. Guide my plans so they will be pleasing to You. Help me to set “SMART” goals for Your honor and glory. AMEN