Mark Batterson begins Chapter 15 (“Life Goal List”) of The Circle Maker by telling a story about American adventurer and explorer John Goddard. On a rainy afternoon in 1940, Goddard, then fifteen, wrote a list of 127 life goals. Pastor Batterson’s favorite Goddard goal is one Goddard never achieved: Visit the moon. Mark reminds us that no one had escaped the earth’s atmosphere when Goddard set that goal.
The author explains why the brain is a goal-seeking organism:
“Setting a goal creates structural tension in your brain, which will seek to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be, who you are and who you want to become. If you don’t set goals, your mind will become stagnant. Goal-setting is good stewardship of your right brain imagination. It’s also great for your prayer life.”
Pastor Batterson states that goal-setting is a great way of simultaneously praying hard, thinking long, and dreaming big.
1. Goals are the cause and effect of praying hard. On the front end, Mark notes, prayer is a goal incubator. On the back end, prayer ensures that you will keep praying hard because praying hard is the only way to accomplish a God-sized goal.
2. Goals are a great way of thinking long. Life goals may take a lifetime to achieve. After all, they are life goals. But they are worth waiting and working for.
3. Setting goals is a practical way of dreaming big. Mark defines goals as “well-defined dreams that are measurable” and “dreams with deadlines.” Deadlines are crucial because they keep dreams alive and even bring them back to life.
Today’s question: Following your ministry downsizing or vocation loss, have you written down a life goal list? Why is it important to do so? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Show me your vision”
