Spiritual Goals

Rob Stroup
Written by Rob Stroup
12/26/2013

Each New Year offers opportunity to assess our accomplishments, habits, character, and the choice to remain as we are or strive to change for improvement.

As you make decisions about exercise, diet and saving money, let me encourage you also to consider spiritual goals. We all know that a list of Dos and Don’ts will not make us more spiritual. However, good habits and choices don’t happen magically in our lives. We have to work to achieve godly character. Sometimes it even involves sweat and determination, just like exercise or dieting.

Spiritual Resolutions:

  1. Important Things First: We would do well to consider the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha was busy serving and Mary was sitting listening closely to the teachings of Christ. Martha became frustrated with her sister because she was just sitting there while Martha was working. I can imagine that Martha fumed for a while before finally stepping into the conversation with an accusatory question for Christ: Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. (Luke 10:40b) Jesus’ answer no doubt took Martha by surprise, but it also clearly teaches us what is most important spiritually. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42) A great resolution is to “sit at the feet of Christ more.” We can do this by becoming better students of His Word. Take notes in church, enroll in a Bible study, or read through the Bible. Any of these would be a worthy goal to increase our attention to the words of Jesus.
  2. Commit Yourself To Acts Of Kindness: One of the best ways to live like a caring Christian is to put yourself into situations where you must serve others. Sign up to volunteer once a month at church or in a local charity. There are many ways to serve.
  3. Set An Alarm For Prayer: We use timers to remind us to get out of bed or to stir the soup or check the oven... Why not set an alarm to remind us to pray daily? Use the church prayer list and become a prayer warrior by spending a few planned minutes interceding for others. You will be amazed how this helps with depression and loneliness! After praying for someone, call them to tell them you have prayed for them. Joy in serving Jesus will be yours!