{"id":299,"date":"2016-08-02T12:54:12","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T12:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=299"},"modified":"2016-12-13T18:38:30","modified_gmt":"2016-12-13T18:38:30","slug":"god-inspired-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2016\/08\/god-inspired-goals.html","title":{"rendered":"God Inspired Goals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pexels-photo-111251<\/a>Having goals and aspirations is part of healthy living. If we don\u2019t have them, we are stagnating.\u00a0 We aren\u2019t trying to improve ourselves or our circumstances.\u00a0 But when we set goals, they ultimately should be for the purpose of serving God.\u00a0 If our goals aren\u2019t inspired by God, they will seem hollow.<\/p>\n

I think the easiest way to check whether your goal is God inspired is this: Can you articulate how your goal will allow you to better serve God on earth?\u00a0 So for example, there is nothing wrong with wanting to earn more money.\u00a0 But the purpose of earning a higher income is so that you have enough to help others who are in need, whether they be family, friends or strangers.<\/p>\n

Similarly, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be in a leadership position at your job. But your purpose in having a leadership position should be to improve the lives of those who work for you by being a compassionate and kind leader.\u00a0 On a more basic level, there is nothing wrong with wanting to lose 10 pounds.\u00a0 But the goal should be to want a healthy body that is fit to serve others.<\/p>\n

Our goals don\u2019t feel right when they aren\u2019t in line with God\u2019s purpose for our lives. If my only goal is to make some extra cash in order to buy an expensive purse, when I finally get that purse, I won\u2019t be satisfied.\u00a0 I may get some compliments, but I otherwise will feel unsatisfied.\u00a0 If I get a big promotion, the added responsibility will feel overwhelming, unless I realize that the purpose of my getting the promotion is to help those who report to me.<\/p>\n

This is why so many people who find fame and fortune end up being unhappy. There is nothing wrong with being paid well and being at the top of your field.\u00a0 But the fruits of your labors should be used for the happiness of your spouse and your children, and to make the world a better place.\u00a0 If you achieve success, but only satisfy your own ego, that isn\u2019t a good return on your investment.\u00a0 Your success should allow you to do good things for others.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve noticed that people who are truly happy are the ones whose ultimate goal is to serve God. Their success is inspired by a desire to do more for others and to be better human beings.\u00a0 As a result, their success isn\u2019t hollow.\u00a0 They don\u2019t just have a luxury car or a fancy house or a high paying job.\u00a0 In addition to all that, they make the world a better place.\u00a0 They serve their spouse and their children.\u00a0 They serve their extended families and the larger community.\u00a0 Their success allows them to be helpful with their time, money and resources.<\/p>\n

This week, consider your goals. What end result are you trying to achieve?\u00a0 Make sure that your goals are inspired by God.\u00a0 Make sure that by achieving them, you will be able to be a better representative of God on earth.<\/p>\n

(Photo Courtesy of Pexels)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Having goals and aspirations is part of healthy living. If we don\u2019t have them, we are stagnating.\u00a0 We aren\u2019t trying to improve ourselves or our circumstances.\u00a0 But when we set goals, they ultimately should be for the purpose of serving God.\u00a0 If our goals aren\u2019t inspired by God, they will seem hollow. I think the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[24],"class_list":["post-299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-goal-setting"],"yoast_head":"\nGod Inspired Goals - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2016\/08\/god-inspired-goals.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"God Inspired Goals - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Having goals and aspirations is part of healthy living. If we don\u2019t have them, we are stagnating.\u00a0 We aren\u2019t trying to improve ourselves or our circumstances.\u00a0 But when we set goals, they ultimately should be for the purpose of serving God.\u00a0 If our goals aren\u2019t inspired by God, they will seem hollow. 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