How to Set Spiritual Goals: Aligning What You Want with God’s Desires

We know the Bible verses about God giving us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4), that God has plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and that the Lord directs our steps (Proverbs 16:9). But what does that tangibly mean with reference to our spiritual goals?

It can be a challenge to weigh what we want with what we think God has for us. We want to live in a way that honors God and puts our faith into practice in our lives. But what this means for us and the choices we make every day can be harder to put into words.

What are spiritual goals?

A spiritual goal can be stated as simply a goal for your spiritual life. Every January many of us make a list of what we hope to accomplish in the following year. While it might be easy to add “read the Bible this year” or “pray every day” to our list of to-dos, for a spiritual goal to truly change us, it needs to involve more than just rote action.

Often when we decide on a spiritual goal, we forget the most important piece: God. When was the last time you asked God what He wanted for you? Instead of telling God what you want out of your spiritual walk this year, ask Him to impress upon your heart what He desires.

Maybe it’s to get up earlier and do a regular quiet time. Perhaps it will be volunteering somewhere or getting involved in a new group. Maybe it will be letting something go – an activity, social media, television – to create more space for Him. By letting God tell you what He desires, we are allowing God to speak into how we live our lives.

Give God space to speak.

We often treat God like a one-way radio. We speak our requests, concerns, and maybe a praise or two into the ether and walk away. We might close our eyes in church, or if we go to a more liturgical gathering, say a prayer or two. But then we walk out and forget God.

Or we give God ten minutes at the start or end of our day. And often we are checking our phones or are buried in a Bible study. We give God thirty seconds to speak while thinking about what else we must do that day. We never sit quietly for any real length of time to let God get a word in edgewise.

But if we want spiritual goals that align with who God is, we must create uninterrupted space in our day, and then ask God to come be present with us.

Here are some ways to help you let God speak into your goals:

Pray.

Sounds obvious, but make sure you are setting aside some time in your prayer life for God to respond. We are not in a one-way relationship, but the most intimate relationship of our lives. God’s goal is to be with us.

He desires friendship, not just devotion. God does not want our hollow words and shallow action. He wants our hearts! He wants a relationship with us. That means that we speak and listen, we give and take. Just like you would not only ever talk to your best friend, be sure to give time for God to speak.

This will require giving God your undivided attention. Closing your eyes, getting quiet, being still, and letting God take control. If you want spiritual goals that mean anything for the Kingdom, you must let God speak into what you choose to set as a meaningful outcome.

Journal.

If the traditional idea of prayer is hard for you, try journaling. Morning pages are a great way to engage in dialogue with God.

The idea is simple. Every morning, free-write three pages. Do it first thing. This is a time without an agenda. Just write whatever is on your heart and mind. Sometimes it is helpful to write about an issue or question you are facing. You can write it as a prayer to God.

As you do this, you may find that God answers in your musing. Write about the different ideas you have for a spiritual goal and see if one rises to the top. Mull over a Bible verse. Ask God what He wants.

By not having an agenda when you start, you are allowing your brain to just associate, and that gives space for God to speak. Even when you have nothing to say, keep writing. Go back to the question “Lord, what do You have for me?” Then listen to the prompts in your head and heart.

Make art.

This is another take on the journal idea. Once you finish your quiet time, spend some time doing something artistic while asking God what He has for you. This can be drawing, painting, collaging – whatever you love to do.

Like with free writing, work without an agenda, or trying to control things. Ask God to show you the plan He has for you. As Him to make clear His path. Then let your pen, paint, glue, pencil, and doodles reveal His answer.

If you give God the invitation to speak into a moment, He will come. It might feel overwhelming some days and like a whisper on others. He might suggest an issue you need to resolve alongside Him before you can receive His response.

Remember, this is a relationship. Just as you and your best friend cannot move on until tension is resolved, sometimes before God can answer us, we need to get right with Him or work through something else in our lives.

Silence.

Give God your silence, your undivided heart, and the gift of your time. This goes against everything our culture teaches, which might be the best indicator that it is something we need. Forget your cell phone. Light a candle. Find a quiet place. Sit with the Lord and be still.

God told His people to tithe the first of their crops, the best of what they had. He wants our peak time when we are most alert and ready to be still with Him. God will take the scraps of our day if that is all we can give Him. But if you wake up in the morning and reach for your cell phone before you even get out of bed, this might be an opportunity to honestly reflect on God’s place in your life and to what you give your time.

Fruit is hard to calculate.

As we read the New Testament, we are repeatedly reminded that the outcome of God working in our lives is the fruit we produce. What does that mean to you? Is it in the number of followers, size of a church, book sales, or popularity? How do you measure the “fruit” of someone’s life? Is the way you measure it how God measures it?

As you read the New Testament, ask God to show you His measuring stick. It’s easy to get caught up in success, money, fame, and influence. But as we read the story of the widow’s tithe (Mark 12:41-44), Matthew 5-7, Luke 6, or even the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4, we are forced to ask what God counts as fruit.

Galatians 5:22 lists the fruit of the spirit as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (ESV).

Any true spiritual goal must have the input of the Holy Spirit. A spiritual goal must align with God’s Word and what He tells us He values. Allowing God to speak into our lives via our prayer life, creativity, and time, ensures our spiritual goals align with His heart.

We are here to help you find a way to allow God into your day. Maybe you don’t feel creative or have a hard time separating yourself from technology. Maybe there is a block between you and God. That’s okay. Our counselors are here to help you find ways to let God speak as well as identify spiritual goals for this season in your life. Call us today to set up an appointment.