No More Goals for me…
It feels like yesterday that I sat down with great excitement to plan and document
my goals and objectives for 2020. Just saying “2020” made me so excited! I was
expectant and filled with anticipation for the year ahead.
We all however know how it panned out: a year of dealing with a pandemic that
shook foundations rocked our familiar patterns and stripped us to reveal what
lay under the layers of comfort.
Today is 31 December 2020, and I started today looking back on 2020. In the
midst of dealing with all Covid-19 threw at me I can say a full life was lived: I
painted and redecorated my nest ‘shopping’ from my own old tins of paint and
hoarded home décor; I worked on my culinary skills baking, cooking, and brewing;
worked on relationships and understanding; and we welcomed our beautiful
granddaughter in August 2020, called Baylee. So much to be thankful for.
I find it helpful to look back, so as to be able to look forward with a bit more clarity.
So, looking at the goals set for 2020, how did I do? Phew!! I didn’t do so well… I
had health, spiritual and business goals – most of which were not fully achieved.
As I stand on the brink of a new year – how will 2021 be different?
Will I end with a list of goals that will not fill me with enthusiasm and drive? Will it
be the ‘same old, same old’ list: Exercise/eat healthy/lose weight (this is on the
list every year, by the way)… complete a triathlon (I hate running and I’m scared
of cycling ��)… read my bible more (1 Year Bible Plan which I only partially
completed)… learn a new skill… Blah-Blah-Blah-Blah-Blah… You get what I’m
saying?
In 2021 I’m changing things – NO GOALS!
In 2021 I’m exchanging my goals for GROWTH.
Growth is defined as the process of increase, the process of developing.
Growth actually has no limit and is a never-ending process. Growth has no
stopping point. As long as there is life there is growth.
I’m a Type-A personality, so achieving a goal does not necessarily fill me with joy
or a sense of satisfaction. Why? Well, I only have another ‘To-Do List’ to get to!
There is always something else that needs doing! In other words, the celebration
is short-lived.
But “growth” cannot be added to a list, can it? It is less rigid, not clearly defined,
less objective and tangible. At times we’re not sure how it happens, but we can
definitely see it happening.
It is interesting to note that there is no reference in the Bible to ‘goals’. The Bible
refers to the plans that we make. If one thing is certain from 2020 it is that the
best-laid plans sometimes go wrong, and when these plans do not go the way we
want them to, disappointment and dejection settles in.
As I started considering GROWTH RATHER THAN GOALS, I have a sense that God
is in this new way of looking into 2021. He is after all looking for growth and
maturity in His followers. He is looking for growth and maturity in me.
If growth is a never-ending process – it means:-
always learning; always moving forward; always being fruitful; always growing.
Phil Cooke said: “Growth is what we do with knowledge”. Growth is what
happens when we take what we know and apply it to our everyday lives.
For 2021 my heart is set on GROWTH.
There are many things that I know, but of late I’ve had to ask myself if what I
know has been translated into bringing about change in my everyday life –
physical and spiritual. Am I living a life fully pleasing to God? Am I striving to not
only accumulate knowledge, but applying the knowledge that I’ve gained to grow
and mature?
There are areas that I need growth in. So, in 2021 I’m switching from being goal
conscience to being growth conscience. If my focus is on growth, I will achieve my
goals too, but I will also continue to move on because there is a lot of growing to
do.
I’m sure by now you are saying: “Get on with it and tell us HOW to be more
growth conscience!”
Below are my thoughts on HOW to be more GROWTH CONSCIENCE in 2021 (I
know, I couldn’t help myself – another list ��):
CLARITY
CHANGE
COMMIT
CIRCUMSTANCES
CONTINUE
Some thoughts on these points :
CLARITY
Ask Holy Spirit to give you clarity. Ask Him to show you clearly where you are at.
Be honest with yourself and identify what stage of growth you are in.
As in the physical stages of human growth, there are spiritual stages of growth too
(Heb 5:12). Are you spiritually an infant/toddler needing someone to care for,
feed and nurture you? Or are you in the stage of early/middle childhood eager to
explore and learn needing someone to guide you but allowing freedom to learn?
Or are you in the stage of being a teenager pushing boundaries and having bouts
of rebellion needing someone to guide with honesty, being firm but fair? Or are
you in the stage of being a young/middle/late adult needing to be reminded to
dream and hope for the future?
CHANGE
What will it take to grow up into the next stage of maturity? What needs to
change to bring about growth in your life? Areas of change that can bring about
growth could be physical and spiritual health; mended/improved relationships;
reassessing of finances; focused spiritual disciplines (Reading the Word, Prayer,
Fellowship, Thanksgiving and Serving).
COMMIT
If you want God to do the super, you have to do the natural. You have to
commit to do the things within your control well.
Mark Twain said: “Eat the frog first thing in the morning” – in other words, commit and do the hard things first, don’t procrastinate - do it now. Commit to growth!
CIRCUMSTANCES
Strive for growth and prosperity in every season – commit to growth irrespective
of the circumstances you find yourself in. Even in the toughest conditions and
circumstances succulents grow and flower in the desert. Pursue growth even
when it is tough.
CONTINUE
Continue to do the good you are doing - doing it even better – that is growth.
Pursue balance in the areas of growth – as an example not becoming an obsessive
gym-goer and forsaking the growth in intimacy with the Lord.
Growth happens when we apply the knowledge we already have and apply it to our everyday lives.
As we head into this new year, I pray that your love will overflow more and
more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. May
understanding increase so you may know what really matters, so that you may
live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be
filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your
life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. (Philippians
1:9-11 NLT)
Happy New Year – may it be a year of GROWTH.
Thora
Women Of Reverence welcomes Thora Haefliger as a guest blogger.
Thora is married to Craig and they serve on the eldership team at Church on the Way in Modderfontein, Johannesburg.
After spending more than 18 years in Corporate Business, she felt led by God to come alongside her husband in their family business in 2010. For the last 10 years they've been able to serve the Body of Christ together, work together and travel together.
Thora’s joy includes being a wife, mother and granny. She loves teaching and equipping women, especially enjoying the diversity that exists in God's girls. She is an avid crafter and DIY'er, using her creativity to upcycle, paints and decorates.