Just ask any four year old.
In a moment, they could be on the moon.
Or performing a death defying act…
Or saving hundreds of people from a burning building (in the middle of your living room).
So what does imagination have to do with where you want to be in life?
Imagination determines how we view a situation.
The Bible says,
Now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
— Genesis 11:6 (KJV)
We all hear things like, “You have to see it to be it.”
Or, “You are today where you thought you would be yesterday.”
And these statements are true (even biblical).
Truth is, we have to see it with our faith, and sometimes that can be a little uncomfortable.
Isaiah 54:2 says,
Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes…
— Amplified Version
This tells me that we can’t live comfortably and expect our lives to be excellent. Pause and think about that for a second.
We must always strive to live outside our comfort zone. We should stretch every area of our life.
Our love walk, our giving, our workplace, our home life…
This means every area!
Your imagination also has everything to do with your goals.
Without goals, you don’t know where to go and you can’t tell when you arrive.
A life without goals is like taking off for a trip and not knowing where you are going.
We have to know where we are going in order to develop a plan to get there.
I live in St. Louis, Missouri. If I get in my car, then start driving east only to decide about 5 hours into the trip that I really want to go to L.A., I will quickly realize I’ve wasted a lot of time and energy. I should have determined my destination before starting the car.
The great thing is this: You can get exactly to where you need to be from where you are right now (regardless of where that is).
Whether its L.A., Mexico, the next level, a higher income bracket, more quality time at home, or a deeper relationship with your Heavenly Father… you can start now!
Start Where You Are
If you want to be like most people, you can do what most people do.
Most people…
- Never set goals
- Don’t know where they’re going
- Daydream about being discovered while sitting idly watching the world go by
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The world makes a way for the man who knows where he’s going.”
And to know where you are going, you have to set a goal.
You have to set goals then strive to reach them because you are only going to possess what you are willing to pursue.
One thing is for sure, if you don’t pursue it – you won’t possess it.
How to Set Your Goals
- Use timelines.
Without them, you don’t know when you should arrive. - Make goals measurable.
Otherwise, how do you know when you are almost there? - Be specific.
No one likes to shoot in the dark. - Write it down.
It makes it difficult to back out on yourself. A little positive pressure can be a good thing.
The next three tips, for what not to do when setting goals, are just as important as what you do do.
- Don’t compete with people.
Compete against mediocrity. Beating someone doesn’t make us better. Beating the norm does. - Don’t let economy/worldly factors limit your goals.
Either we live according to what God has to say about us, or what the world has to say about us. Join me in choosing to live by what God has to say about us. - Don’t try to be what you can’t see in the mirror yet.
Can’t see yourself there? Even in your imagination? Then don’t go yet.
You have to see it to be it!
See it first. Wait until you can see yourself in that higher level of success before you attempt to go there.
My challenge to you: Attempt to see it now!
Use your imagination. See it with your eyes of faith.
If you can do that, you can do anything!
Ok this one hit home a little too hard!! I love this! Setting goals is an area I really do not put my whole heart into. I have a few that are way too general. My goal for this year is to be better at writing down my goals…LOL!! This is a reminder that I need to put my dreams and goals down on paper…I need to finally make my vision board. I know from experience that when I do indeed “see” what I want and speak it that I have seen results. I am believing that this is the year that I will be writing big checks for God’s work….Thanks for once again helping me see what I need to be doing!
So Debbie – a challenge….did you write 5 goals down????
My goals are high and lots to do! Planning for success in many areas of my life: closer relationship with God, focused family life, and increased finances are my top goals! The plan to get there is in place and now the work begins!
Great words Pastor Nicole!
Angie – Love that you have a plan!
Great word Pastor Nicole!
It is all so true. I’ve experience this in my own life. When I don’t write things down I tend to put those things on the back burner of my mind and often don’t get around in doing them. “You have to see it to be it!” then write it down.
This is SO true! Everyone needs to have goals! 🙂
Goals… going to set them, speak them, believe them, and watch them happen. I have been one of those people that have never set goals and I don’t finish what I start! I’ve gone thru life saying “I’m going to do this or that”, but that is as far as it went. This year I have goals that I have written down, I’m speaking them, and I believe!
AWESOME steps Lisa! Sooooo proud!!!!! Do it girl!
Great word again!! I am a big time believer in goal setting and pursuing those goals. One goal I have for this year, the main one, is to move closer. It seems like it has been a goal every year, but this year is different. I am going after it with everything I have and I KNOW I will see the result this year!!!
Phil C – C’mon man! Move in closer! You can do it! I believe it!
My goals are to NOT be lazy and lack anymore. To get my life straight, financially,physically and mentally. I finally can see it and can commit to it. I’m not running to the wilderness anymore. I will follow Gods will and face my future with an open heart and open mind, because through God I can and will accomplish anything.
Go Erinn!!
How easy is it to stay complacent with where you are in your spiritual relationship, family relationships and financial situations. This serves as a definite refresher in enlarging our visions and striving for a bigger better future. Great write! Thank you.
Phil – Complacency…the best friend of average. Great point!
Thank you Pastor Nicole. I do it in a small way with my to do list and it’s always great to be able to cross something off that list. I do have a comfortable mind set though. I know I don’t set goals some times because I fear not reaching them. 🙁 Other times I’m excited because I know I’m excited enough to reach them. I’ve got to get out of the comfort zone and reach out.
Tawanna – I am A LOT like you! I LOVE crossing things off of my list. Sometimes I even throw a few ‘fluff’ items in there that I can cross off to give me momentum! 🙂
This is the first year that my wife and I have set goals together. can’t wait to see what God has in store!
Matt – Setting goals as a couple is fantastic! What a way to keep a united vision.
Great post once again! It’s not enough to just write our goals but to keep them in front of ourselves so we can keep working towards them and not forget what they are.
David – Keep them in front of us. Easier said than done, huh? For me anyway!
I truly love reading your blog. Awesome!
I just printed out your blog and want to have my whole family read it…we all can benefit from setting goals and challenging ourselves to see higher so that we may reach for those new goals.
Lovin’ the blogs Pastor Nicole! You are touching people and having an incredible impact-You go girl!
Sherrie – what a compliment! Such a great idea too. What a way to train our kids to reach for the stars than to help them goal set at a young age? AWESOME!
Wonderful advice! Seldom does anyone achieve anything without using the process defined here. How can anyone know where they’re going without a defined destination and a clear plan on how to get there? Great article Pastor Nicole!
David – Great point! Seems like you have a smooth grasp on this!
I’m shooting for my own business as a freelance makeup artist Make Over Me by Larinda & my true love I want to be in serious relationship I want to get marry.
I LOVE makeup too Linda!!!!! This is a passion we share!!!!