Sometimes I hear ideas and start wondering, “Where is that found it the Bible?” For example, self-care, cultural relevance, numerical success, and goals are sometimes mentioned by those I esteem as wise. Are our teachings based on God’s word or is the Christian community parroting the world? Since I hear the need to set goals most frequently, I will begin searching to learn about this topic first.

Recently, I heard in a sermon, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” I felt unspiritual and immature because for the most part, I am opposed to setting goals. Also, it seemed I was receiving mixed messages to trust Jesus but also try harder.

I have a good Biblical basis for not setting goals or planning too much. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Philippians 1:6 tells us that He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. In 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Paul writes, “He who called you is faithful, He also will bring it to pass.”

I did find one use of the word goal in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” I also found the word aim in in 2 Corinthians 5:9, “We make it our aim to please Him.” I can fully accede to those goals, but having 6 month or 5-year goals honestly seems a bit presumptuous. Isaiah 55:9 reminds us that as the heavens are higher than the earth, His ways and plans are higher than ours. The heavens are not just 10 stories high but more than trillions of miles. Why set a measly goal with my finite mind when God in his immeasurable wisdom has promised to fulfill His infinitely good goals for me?