Why are goals important for leaders?

Genesis 12:1-3The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Exodus 3:10“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

Judges 6:14The Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”

Leaders need to have goals because God’s goals are meant to set the agenda for our lives. God’s promise to Abram and his words of commission to Moses and Gideon gave them such a strong purpose and direction that they risked everything to pursue it.

1 Chronicles 22:1-5Then David said, “This will be the location for the Temple of the Lord God and the place of the altar for Israel’s burnt offerings!” So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God. . . . David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.

A leader’s bold vision can help the leader and people accomplish great goals. David’s vision for the Temple was fulfilled in the construction of a magnificent structure for God’s glory.

Mark 10:45“Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Leaders should have goals because they keep us focused on our primary mission and determine how we conduct our lives. Jesus’ goal of giving his life shaped the way he lived every day, guiding his interactions with other people.

John 17:4“I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”

Leaders are often tempted to do too much. But God gives us only what we can accomplish in a godly, balanced life. God is glorified not by our doing everything we can possibly do, but by our fulfilling the goals he has for us.