Considering your goals as a biblical leader

Brad Delaughter Sept. 29, 2023

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As leaders, we are called to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. This includes our attitude towards goal-setting and accomplishment. In a society that places a high value on achievement and success, it's easy to fall into the trap of pursuing our own desires rather than seeking to accomplish the will of God. In this post, we'll explore the Christian perspective on goal-setting and accomplishment, and consider how our approach to these areas of life can bring glory to God.

In his prayer to the Father in John 17 Jesus says, "I have glorified You on this earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4). What does this tell us about goals?

Do the Father's work

Jesus' ministry on earth was a result of Him doing the work of the Father. Similarly, the work we do for God should be a product of us doing the Father's work. When we focus solely on what we want to accomplish, we miss out on the purpose God has for our lives. As leaders, it is crucial that we are intentional about seeking God's will and fulfilling the assignments He has for us.

Bring glory to God

It's easy to get caught up in the recognition and compensation that come from achieving our goals. However, when we work for God, our focus should be solely on bringing Him glory. As leaders, we must approach goal-setting and accomplishment with an attitude of humility, recognizing that everything we do is ultimately for the glory of God. Our success should never be an end unto itself, but rather a means by which we can point others to Christ.

Fulfill the will of God

Jesus' ministry was characterized by His commitment to fulfilling the will of God. To accomplish this, He remained focused on the mission at hand, never getting sidetracked by distractions or competing priorities. As leaders, we must also prioritize fulfilling the will of God over our own desires. This means being intentional about seeking God's guidance in every decision we make, and being willing to lay down our own agendas in order to pursue His will.

Pursue excellence

While our focus should be on fulfilling the will of God, this does not mean that we should not strive for excellence in all that we do. When we approach our goals with an attitude of excellence, we honor God by using the gifts and talents He has given us to the best of our ability. As leaders, we should set high standards for ourselves and those we lead, always striving to achieve our goals in a way that brings honor to God.

Embrace grace

Finally, it is important to recognize that we will inevitably fall short in our pursuit of God's will. In these moments, we must choose to embrace grace and trust that God will use our shortcomings for His glory. As leaders, we must model this attitude of humility and grace, recognizing that our ultimate success is not in our own hands but in the hands of our faithful God.

The Christ-centered perspective on goal-setting and accomplishment is characterized by a deep commitment to fulfilling the will of God, bringing glory to Him in all that we do, and pursuing excellence in every area of our lives. As leaders, our approach to these areas of life can serve as a powerful witness to our faith, pointing others to Christ and inspiring them to pursue a life of purpose and meaning. May we always remember that our ultimate success is found in our relationship with our loving Father, who calls us to lives of servant leadership and faithful obedience.

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Brad Delaughter serves as Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church De Soto, MO. Brad is married to his bride, Kristin, and together they have 4 crazy kids (Jackson, Michaela, Jase, and Jacob). In addition to serving as Lead Pastor, Brad also serves as a hospital chaplain, is the Director for National Sustainability and Missouri Team Lead for Prison Seminaries Foundation and is an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Learn More »

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