A simple goal-setting technique I learned several years ago has to do with determining your preferred future in a certain area of life. It could be your spiritual life, family life, financial life, or something else. The idea is to be specific on what you want. Then begin building a multi-lane bridge backwards from your preferred future to your present reality. This will give you a clear plan of action.
You need a multi-lane bridge because there are probably several things you will need to do to get from where you are to where you want to be. It would look something like this:
You need a multi-lane bridge because there are probably several things you will need to do to get from where you are to where you want to be. It would look something like this:
Let’s say my preferred future is physical fitness. First, I need to be specific what that means. Then I need to build a multi-lane bridge from that goal back to my present reality. Each lane of the bridge stands for a different action point. For example, one lane might be a specific weight loss goal. Another lane might be desired waist size. Another might stand for a targeted BMI (body mass index). Other lanes might stand for things like blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar levels, and so on. The multi-lane bridge gives me practical action points that will take me from my present reality to my preferred future. You get the idea.
Here is a preferred future I want you to consider. Paul makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 5:10 that we will all appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account. There will be no excused absences at the Judgment Seat. All believers will appear. The preferred future is provided in the Lord’s answer to the faithful servant in Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” That is the answer we all want to hear from Jesus on that day.
Building the bridge backward from that preferred future to your present reality, what changes do you need to make in order to hear Jesus say those words? Think about it. Then start writing action points on your multi-lane bridge. They can be positive and negative. For example, some negative action points might be, “quit losing my temper, or stop doubting God’s promises.” Some positive action points might be, “start tithing, or begin sharing my faith with others.”
Add as many lanes as necessary to get you from your present reality to the preferred future of “well done!” Don’t delay. Start now on making your preferred future a definite reality.
Pastor Todd Weston
Here is a preferred future I want you to consider. Paul makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 5:10 that we will all appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account. There will be no excused absences at the Judgment Seat. All believers will appear. The preferred future is provided in the Lord’s answer to the faithful servant in Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” That is the answer we all want to hear from Jesus on that day.
Building the bridge backward from that preferred future to your present reality, what changes do you need to make in order to hear Jesus say those words? Think about it. Then start writing action points on your multi-lane bridge. They can be positive and negative. For example, some negative action points might be, “quit losing my temper, or stop doubting God’s promises.” Some positive action points might be, “start tithing, or begin sharing my faith with others.”
Add as many lanes as necessary to get you from your present reality to the preferred future of “well done!” Don’t delay. Start now on making your preferred future a definite reality.
Pastor Todd Weston
