#3 God’s Goals, Your Journey
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
At the start of a new year, many of us set goals, but let’s be honest—most resolutions don’t last past January. However, deep down, we all have aspirations, desires, and a sense of purpose. The key is not just setting goals but aligning them with God’s vision for our lives.
God’s Original Design for Humanity
In Genesis, God created a world for Adam and Eve, telling them to “be fruitful and multiply.” This wasn’t just about having children—it was about cultivating, organizing, and stewarding the earth to reflect heaven. Imagine a world untouched by sin, filled with harmony and peace—this was God’s original intent.
When we think about what it means to subdue the earth, we might picture Adam and Eve tending to a beautiful, lush garden—landscaping, structuring, organizing—all to create an environment that reflected heaven. And as their family grew, they would have structured communities, built families on the foundation of God's truth, and developed societies based on His wisdom.
Now, compare that original design with the world today. What we see is not fully God’s will—it’s a mixture of God’s desires and human choices. If we want to know God's will for our lives, we must look at three key places:
The Garden before sin – This reveals God’s original intent.
Heaven after restoration – This shows God’s ultimate plan.
Jesus’ life on earth – He modeled what God’s will looks like in human form.
Jesus taught us to pray:
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
We are part of that process. The question is, how are we aligning our lives with God’s will?
A Life of Pressing On
Paul, writing from house arrest, declared:
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Despite everything he had been through—beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks—Paul remained focused on God’s plan for his life. He wasn’t waiting for perfect conditions—he pressed forward.
Paul’s attitude was clear: “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) His ultimate expectation was resurrection and eternal life in Christ, but he also recognized that God had assignments for him along the way.
So what about you? How much of your daily life is structured by what you and the Lord have planned together?
Have you sat down with God and asked, “Lord, what do You desire for my life?” Are your daily choices leading you toward that goal?
God’s Goals, Your Journey
Many people struggle with the idea of God’s assignments for their lives. They think of them as burdens—things they “should” do rather than things they “want” to do.
But the truth is, when we align our hearts with God, His desires become our desires.
Some people wait for clear signs before they step into God’s plan. They say, “Lord, if You want me to do this, change my heart, open the doors, provide the money, and make it clear.”
But faith doesn’t work like that. You can’t sit back with remote-control faith, waiting for everything to align perfectly before stepping out. God calls us into active participation.
“A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
This means we are meant to plan—to set goals, to dream, to move forward—while trusting God to guide our steps.
How to Align Your Desires with God’s Will
So how do you ensure that your plans and desires are aligned with God’s will?
Meditate on His Word
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
God’s Word is not just a book of laws—it is a living guide that shapes our thinking.
Take Action on God’s Promptings
We’ve all had those moments where a scripture jumps off the page, speaking directly to our situation.
When that happens, step into the grace of that moment and take action.
Trust the Process
Trusting God isn’t just sitting back and waiting—it’s active engagement with His Word and His ways.
Practical Steps to Finding God’s Direction
The Bible is like a user manual for being human. It gives wisdom for every area of life—relationships, finances, purpose, character, and more. But it requires intentionality:
Seek God’s wisdom for your life plans by searching the Word.
Use topical Bible study tools (like Blue Letter Bible or OpenBible) to find verses that speak to your situation.
Write down 10-20 key scriptures that resonate with you.
Allow God’s logic to reshape your thinking and guide your decisions.
If you’re ever uncertain about what to do next, fall back on this simple principle:
“Trust in the Lord and do good.” (Psalm 37:3)
It’s a simple yet powerful way to live.
Spiritual Maturity: Preparing for God’s Blessings
Many people miss what God has for them because they aren’t prepared to recognize it.
They want financial blessing but haven’t learned biblical stewardship.
They desire strong marriages but don’t apply God’s principles for relationships.
They seek fulfillment but won’t commit to God’s way of living.
God isn’t just looking to bless us—He’s looking to prepare us.
A Challenge for You
Take time this week to write down the kind of fruit you want your life to produce.
Ask, “What does the Bible say about this area?”
Start shaping your decisions based on God’s Word, not just emotions or culture.
Final Thought: Wrestling with God’s Word
We must wrestle with God’s Word in the same way Jacob wrestled with the angel.
When you read a passage that challenges your thinking, don’t ignore it. Instead, ask:
Does my life align with this?
Do my decisions reflect this truth?
Am I willing to change my thinking to match God’s wisdom?
As you commit your ways to the Lord, He will establish your steps. And in that place, you’ll experience God’s will unfolding in your journey—not out of obligation, but out of joyful partnership with Him.
Are you ready to take action?
Pray this with me:
"Father, I commit my ways to You. I want my understanding to be shaped by Your Word. I will seek You, knowing that Your Spirit makes Your Word alive in me. And I will put it into practice. Amen."
➡️ Support Forward Ministries with a One-Time or Recurring Donation
