AIM HIGH

By Dennis Harworth

     A famous author said once: “In the long run, men hit only what they aim at.  Therefore…they had better aim high.”  Of course, if you are aiming at nothing, you are sure to hit it every time.  In order to aim at something you need to see it or have a vision for it.   A vision is a mental image, concept, idea, notion, or a dream.  In order to set goals for our future, we must have a vision of what to expect and what you want to accomplish.  God has placed within each of us hopes and dreams that we can fulfill with His help and His guidance.  God is the One who will make possible.

YOU CAN ACHIEVE, WHAT YOU CAN CONCEIVE!

     The Bible tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18). Many times, our past prevents us from going forward and pursuing the dreams, goals, and visions that God has placed in our hearts.  Leave the past behind, get the vision, set your goals, and go for it!!  How do you even get started?  I am glad you asked!  Here are seven Biblical ways to help you in setting goals:

1.  Determine what you want to accomplish with fortitude. 

Define your goal.  Set your vision (Proverbs 29:18).  Be careful though, not to make it too large that it is out of range.  Make your goal attainable only with diligent effort.  Determine to lay aside every weight that slows you down and run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1).  Control the fear of criticism.  Do not be afraid of what you can accomplish in spite of what others say.

2.  Make sure you are in God’s will.

Your motive can be right, but your action might be wrong.  Support what you are aiming at with the Word of God.  Study His Word to make sure it’s right (2 Timothy 2:15).  Use the wisdom of the Word to discern if your dreams, goals, and visions are God’s idea or if it is just your good idea.       

3.  Write your goal down.

Then the Lord said to me, "Write my answer in large, clear letters on a tablet, so that a runner can read it and tell everyone else (Habakkuk 2:2, NLT).  You will remember 80% of what you see and only 20% of what you hear.  Let your mind paint the pictures as you write down your goal and read it aloud multiple times a day (morning and evening).

4.  Decide what you are willing to give in the attaining of your goal. 

Give and it shall be given unto you… (Luke 6:38).  What you are willing to give, demonstrates the value you place on your goal.  The higher the value, the greater the goal.

5.  See yourself daily in obtaining your goal. 

You can achieve what you can conceive (Proverbs 23:7).  Every day watch yourself in your mind’s eye accomplishing what you dream about in your heart.  However, do not tell everyone, but choose carefully those people with whom to share your dreams, goals, and visions.  Because if they cannot join their faith with yours, they will try to talk you out of your vision and dreams.

6.  Support yourself with words of faith.

You can have what you say when you speak words of faith (Mark 11:23).  “Say it until you believe it, so you can believe it when you say it, and continue to do so until you see it.”

7. Thank God daily (in advance) for the victory of reaching your goal. 

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord  (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

What is holding you back from your goals?  Set them so you can attain them, support your goals with God’s Word, and see yourself obtaining them without distractions.  Know that God is backing you up, so go for it when you aim.  And as long as you are aiming…AIM HIGH!!