How can I pursue my goals?

Matthew 28:19-20“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

No matter what we do, Jesus’ ultimate goal for all his followers is making disciples of all people, everywhere. In our work toward this goal, he promises us the Holy Spirit’s help.

Romans 15:20-24My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places. But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

Ephesians 6:19-20Pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

We should never stop pursuing the goals God has called us to. If we are doing what he wants us to do, we will achieve far more than we thought possible. Paul was an older man when he wrote the book of Romans, but he was still driven by his goal to spread the Good News of salvation in Christ to people everywhere. This goal led him to travel throughout the Roman Empire and to reach out to people of all cultural and religious backgrounds. He dreamed of bringing God’s Good News to Spain at the western end of the Roman Empire, a goal that always called him forward.

1 Corinthians 9:26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

Philippians 3:13-14No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

We should keep our eyes on the target and resist the temptation to get side-tracked. To be most effective and make the most significant progress and impact, we should stay focused on our primary goals.

1 Corinthians 14:1Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.

As we pursue our goals, we must be careful not to step on others. Loving others should always be our highest goal. Our love for God and other people needs to shape how we pursue our calling.

2 Corinthians 5:9So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.

James 4:4You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.

Whatever we choose to do, our goals must be pleasing to God.