“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
The Bible says that with God, all things are possible, but as Christian leaders we must establish goals that are first vetted with Him. “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5, ESV). So, make sure you follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in identifying the right goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics to fulfill the path that God has ordained for you (Proverbs 3:5-6), and to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
When establishing your goals, make sure that they are SMART, which is the commonly used acronym for:
Specific (i.e., be precise about what you intend to achieve)
Measurable (i.e., ensure that your objectives are quantifiable)
Attainable (i.e., make sure that your goals are achievable)
Realistic (i.e., confirm that your objective is one that you are willing and able to pursue)
Time-bound (i.e., identify the timeframe or deadline for achieving the stated objective)
Example of a SMART Objective: To gain 25 percent of the U.S. market for smart phones by December 31, 2020.
As God’s ambassadors in the workplace and in the marketplace, it is perfectly acceptable to have clearly defined goals and objectives, but we must make sure they are established by God and remain flexible to His timing. For instance, don’t be tied to a specific destination with your business such as going public or capturing a certain percentage of market-share within a certain timeframe. He’ll let you know what to do and when to do it. Wait for His perfect timing in planning and executing your initiatives.
When you commit your plans to the Lord and allow Him to direct you, your plans are guaranteed to come to fruition (Proverbs 16:3). The Bible says that if you obey God, He promises to make your name great, or enhance your reputation, and make you a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2). Remember, no one has seen what God has prepared for those who love Him, and no one can change the plans of God (1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 43:13).
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About the Author
Dr. K. Shelette Stewart
Dr. K. Shelette Stewart serves in a leadership role with Harvard University overseeing strategic partnerships with global corporations for Harvard Business Company. She is an international keynote speaker and the author of the award-winning book, Revelations in Business: Connecting Your Business Plan with God’s Purpose and Plan for Your Life, which has been formally endorsed by academic and business leaders including Dan Cathy, chairman and chief executive officer of Chick-fil-A. For more insights and information, please visit: www.shelettestewart.com