As one year closes and another begins, we often feel a surge of motivation to set New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s to deepen our prayer life, serve more, be more present with family, or tackle a persistent bad habit, this drive for improvement is a beautiful reflection of the desire God placed in us to grow and become more like Christ. Our human spirit is, in a way, a “goal-seeking mechanism,” longing to bear good fruit.
The types of goals we set are vast: exercising more for the temple God gave us, seeking a job to be a good steward of our talents, excelling in school, nurturing our relationships, overcoming a sin or bad habit, or starting a new endeavor.
However, as you consider your commitments for the coming year, it’s vital to ask: “Will I follow through?” The secular world acknowledges the challenge, noting that a significant portion—about 25%—of resolutions are abandoned within the first few months. For the Christian, a broken promise to ourselves can chip away at our integrity and even reflect a lack of discipline in our walk with God.
Setting God-Honoring, Achievable Goals
So, how can we anchor our resolutions to ensure they stand firm, rooted in faith and practical effort? We can integrate wisdom from performance management, known as the S.M.A.R.T. framework, while keeping our focus on Christ. Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound.
S – Specific (Clarity of Intention)
A goal with a defined outline has a much higher chance of being accomplished. It should answer the Who? What? Where? When? and Why? The “Why” is crucial, as it should connect to your relationship with God or your calling.
- Secular Goal: “Read the Bible more.”
- Specific, Christian Goal: “I will read the Gospel of John every morning for 15 minutes before work, so I can better know Christ and draw closer to Him.”
M – Measurable (Tracking Your Stewardship)
This is about tracking your progress, a good practice of stewardship over your time and effort. Set checkpoints and ask how much consistent effort you need to put in. Consider asking a trusted prayer partner or a faithful friend to hold you accountable. Their care for your success can be a powerful support.
A – Attainable (Leaning on His Strength)
How will you achieve this? What skills, habits, or resources do you need? True attainment comes not just from our strength but from the belief that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Plan wisely and work gradually. The inspiration to keep going will come from believing that, with God’s help, your goal is possible. Regularly reflect on your goal and seek the direction the Holy Spirit is leading you.
R – Realistic (Working with Grace and Truth)
Are you willing and able to put in the work? Set a high, God-honoring bar, but one that respects your current season of life and commitments. A goal that is high and realistic can motivate you to work harder than one that is set too low. Remember to treat yourself and your goals with grace, knowing that perfection is not required, but effort and faithfulness are.
T – Time-bound (Creating a Sense of Urgency)
Without a deadline, your goals are just wishes. A deadline creates a sense of urgency.
- Non-Time-bound: “I will try to volunteer more this year.”
- Time-bound: “I will sign up to volunteer at the local food bank for the first Saturday of every month throughout the year, starting in January.”
The Power of Commitment and Faith
To truly achieve what you set out to do, you must develop the habit of following through on your commitments. When you make a resolution, make a solid effort to keep it. No matter how daunting the task, a strong commitment will enable you to say, “I am unstoppable in Christ!”
We must make achieving our God-centered goals a must rather than giving in with the thought, “Oh, well, I’ll start next year.” Breaking promises to ourselves repeatedly can lead to inward frustration and self-dejection. That’s why I encourage you to keep your focus: what we aspire to, through God’s will, is our possibility. We transform those possibilities into realities when we make an unequivocal decision to follow through with the work we’ve committed to.
As you follow the S.M.A.R.T. path, remember to celebrate your victories, no matter how small, and treat your setbacks as opportunities to learn and seek forgiveness. Don’t stay down when life—or temptation—knocks you off course. Get up! A child of God never gives up because our hope is secure.
May the Lord grant you and your family a happy and prosperous new year filled with His grace and strength!
What is one Specific, Measurable goal you’re setting this year to grow closer to Christ?
