Set Goals That Focus on Faithfulness

February 17, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 NIV

Are you a goal-setter? I have found setting goals to be one of the best tools for growth. When I set a goal that is specific and set a target completion date, I find myself stumbling forward even if I don’t meet my goal. I’ve learned to evaluate my goals by growth rather than accomplishment. Isn’t growth what makes life meaningful? Goals challenge me to keep thinking forward and acting forward. However, achieving the goal has become less important to me as I have…matured. Why?

Alright, as I’ve gotten OLDER (the word I was avoiding) I’ve realized that faithfulness is of higher value than productive success. A faithful life is a fruitful life. And, as I’ve been recently ruminating, I’d rather be fruitful than productive and fulfilled rather than satisfied (Click the links to check out those posts.) When you and I focus on faithfulness we will be fruitful and fulfilled. Faithfulness will lead to fruitfulness. When we are fruitful we will be productive because we will produce what matters.

So, how do goals fit into focusing on fruitfulness and faithfulness? The goals you set become even more important because they become focused on fulfilling purpose and transforming character.

When I focus on faithfulness, I fulfill my purpose. How are you measuring success? By checking things off your task list? Been there. Done that! Faithful goals are not just about getting things done. Faithful goals are about fulfilling your God-ordained purpose. He created you and placed you on this planet for a specific purpose. When you align your goals with your purpose you can’t help but fulfill it over and over. Purpose is not a one-shot deal. Purpose is accomplished over time through many small decisions. Faithfulness is fruitful because it is focused on purpose. How does what you’ve accomplished fit into what you believe you were designed for?

When I focus on faithfulness, I produce the right kind of fruit. Goals are great. Truly! They add structure to scattered seasons. They can become guardrails that remind us to align with purpose if we set them with purpose in view. Purpose-aligned goals lead to fruit that lasts, in us as well as through us. Purpose-aligned goals have transformed me from a hesitant and anxious supporter to a confident and peaceful leader. Let me assure you there are still moments of hesitance and anxiety, However, when they arise, they don’t make me freeze in indecision. That frozen indecision was my default for years. The purpose-aligned goals I have set over the years have helped produce the fruit of character that God wants to build in me. Character that reflects Christ and leads to a transformed life.

When I focus on faithfulness, I become the person I am meant to be. What if you measured success by growth? Did you respond better than you did last time to that annoying person? Did you face that fearful phone call instead of avoiding it? Did you try that thing you’ve never done before so that you could take another step toward that big goal?

When I look back on the person I used to be, I am truly amazed at what God has done in me. My goals have been tools that God has used to shape the person I have become, and I am so grateful! When I say goodbye to earth and hello to eternity the results of achieving those goals will be so much clearer. What about you? How are your goals shaping you? They are, you know, whether you are aware of it or not. Why not be intentional and set goals that focus on faithfulness, fruitfulness, and growth?

Dear Friend, you are accomplishing so much more than you realize. You are becoming a more beautiful reflection of Jesus. Each small faith-filled decision is a goal achieved. You are achieving the goal of honoring your King. You are achieving the goal of loving Him above all. You are achieving the goal of loving your neighbor as yourself. And in the process, you are doing more and going farther than you think. Yes, you are!

Key Question: How do goals fit into focusing on fruitfulness?

A Scripture to Consider: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 NIV

A YES Challenge: Take some time to prayerfully reflect on some recent accomplishments. How has achieving those goals contributed to your growth?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to do more than check boxes on a task list. I want to become the person You designed me to be. Help me to set purpose-aligned goals that facilitate my growth. I want to grow in Christ-like character. But I also want to do all that You designed me to do for Your honor and glory. Amen.

Don’t Settle For Satisfied.

February 10, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” Ephesians 5:17 MSG

Are you settling for satisfied? Satisfied sounds like a good thing, and it is to a point. But is satisfied fulfilled?

Satisfied is content with the current status. Is that you? Is that enough? There was a time in my life when that was me. I was satisfied but within was an unrelenting awareness that there was more. Satisfied may seem like enough, but is it achieving all that you are meant for? I knew that I wasn’t but wasn’t sure what to do next.

Fulfillment results from doing what you were created to do. Fulfillment comes from being the best you. Fulfillment is found in divine potential. That unrelenting awareness began to dissipate as I set out to pursue my purpose and potential.

Doing what is on your task list may seem like enough. When you check off each task you may feel satisfied. I know I do! But are you fulfilled? I knew I was not.

My challenge to you, Dear Friend, is to reach for fulfillment. Don’t settle for satisfied.

Why?

What Do You Want? Productivity or Fruitfulness?

February 3, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” Ephesians 5:17 MSG

What do you really want to accomplish with your time and how will you know when you are accomplishing it? Are you managing your time so that you are fulfilling your purpose?

Here’s a revelation for evaluating your time management. Time management is not about getting more done. Wow! How’s that for a shocker? That contradicts so much of the internet’s time management advice. So, what does it mean to manage time well?

Using time well isn’t just about being productive, it’s about being fruitful. The Industrial Revolution changed the way people think about productivity. Instead of the fruitfulness associated with an abundant harvest, as our agricultural-based society of the past viewed it, it became about doing and making more.

Fruitfulness depends on factors outside human control. It depends on factors that only God controls. Productivity is all about self-reliance and man-made options. Productivity treats people like machines that exist to make more. Fruitfulness is about fulfilling a God-designed pattern to the fullest— seed, soil, sun, rain, growth, harvest. There are few things that humans can do to control those. We can only add to what depends on the God who controls nature. Fruitfulness has to do with growth and purpose.

Know Your Purpose. Plan Your Time.

January 27, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.’ Ephesians 5:17 NLT

How often are you distracted by something that is calling your attention away from what you really want to be doing? Perhaps you are in the middle of deep work on a passion project. All the gears are clicking. The ideas are flowing. The strategy to accomplish this long-held dream is pouring out onto the page or your hands are busy creating what you see in your imagination. Then the phone rings. You hesitate for a moment and then you answer it.

The telemarketer on the other end of the phone doesn’t care that he just interrupted a moment of Spirit-inspired genius. He doesn’t care that you were in the middle of coming into the light after years in a tunnel of doubt. He is just trying to do his job, which is to convince you to buy what he is selling. An item you don’t need or want — like a new satellite TV system or gutter guards on the house that you added those to three years ago. All he cares about is selling to you and he doesn’t take no for an answer.

Finally, you realize that the only way to end this conversation will be to hang up on him. You hate the idea of that rude action, but there doesn’t appear to be another way. Your stomach is in knots. You politely tell him that you need to go and then you hang up the phone.

When you turn back to your project the gears that were clicking are still and silent. Your mind is a blank and your stomach is still in knots. All forward motion has ended. You decide that it's time to check the laundry, or some other everyday task, and walk away from your desk feeling defeated and frustrated.

Answering that call interrupted what you really wanted to be doing, what you feel called to do, and you wonder why you even answered it!

My friend, there are legitimate interruptions that have the same effect on your progress. Those are the ones you have to accept, resolve, and then do your best to get back on track after. Those interruptions are immediate and important. Like a backed-up drain that needs a plumber’s attention. I found myself in that position this week after an “aha” about what was preventing me from moving forward on a passion project. Even though I was motivated to move forward I had to stop. There was nothing else I could do about that. I didn’t have a choice about that interruption. However, you and I have control over plenty of the things we allow to interrupt us, like phone calls and text messages to name the most frequent offenders.

When you and I interrupt the important for the immediate we often squander one of our most valuable resources: TIME. What if there is a better way? Would you take it?

Know Your Purpose. Make Purposeful Decisions.

January 20, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV

Time. It happens whether you plan for it or not! Do you have a plan for how you spend your time? Part of the value of knowing your purpose is that having a definite sense of what you were created for gives you the clarity you need to make purposeful decisions about how you spend your time. When you know why God put you on Planet Earth, you know what to say YES to and what to say no to. Know yourself. Learn your purpose. Know your purpose. Make purposeful decisions.

When I keep my purpose in mind, I feel empowered to set goals and arrange my schedule to move toward those prayerfully created goals. Having a clear sense of purpose and calling has enabled me to create time management systems for myself that keep me motivated and moving forward. Sometimes it seems like the forward motion is by mere inches, but all forward motion is to be celebrated, right? If the ball crosses the goal line by inches, it still counts as a touchdown!

What is so important about knowing your purpose? Knowing your purpose helps you know how to spend your time and how you spend your time helps you to fulfill your purpose.

Knowing your purpose becomes your time compass. When you have articulated your reason for being in a clear purpose statement you have a guide to direct your time. Your tasks will change throughout the seasons of your life, but your purpose won’t. Knowing what you were made for helps narrow your options and make better choices. You’ll know which direction is north because your compass is pointing toward your purpose.

I’ll be honest. There are times when I have felt like I started out heading north and then lost my way. Keyword: FELT. Even at the times when it seemed to me that I was wandering when I looked back, I realized that I had made progress. Every forward inch matters. Encourage yourself with that.

Know Yourself. Learn Your Purpose.

January 13, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

” Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.’ Ephesians 5:17 NLT

Do you know your purpose? You might have a sense of it, but could you describe it to someone else? Could you tell them (or yourself) in one sentence what God put you on earth for? When you discover your purpose and can clearly articulate it you will have a guide for how to spend your time. My personal purpose statement has helped me to hone in and schedule tasks. Sure, I get distracted at times and my focus gets a bit fuzzy. This has been one of those weeks. But, overall, having a clear sense of purpose has been a guide to help me keep making meaningful progress. If that’s something you struggle with, let’s talk!

So. Let’s start with finding your purpose. We can explore more about time in the future.

Discovering your purpose starts with knowing yourself. How well do you know yourself? I mean really. Do you truly understand your own personality, strengths, and weaknesses? How well can you articulate what you really want from life? From yourself? From others?

What if you made your goal for this year knowing yourself better? How might that give you clarity on the purpose you were created for?

Focus 2024 With Just One Word

January 6, 2024 Cathleen Zahradnik

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3: 12-14

When you look back at 2023 what do you see? For me and my family, it has been a year of BIG changes! Transitions aplenty! Everyone in my immediate family moved into a new home. Tom and I moved to a new part of our state and have entered into a new season of work. Not only did we experience the natural chaos that comes with a move, but we also spent five months in limbo as we waited for our new house to be renovated and ready to move into. It has been a season of settling on the inside even when everything was unsettled on the outside. We have grown tremendously. As 2023 closes, we are in the beginning stages of settling into our new life. But what does God have in store for 2024?

If you have followed me for a while, then you know that I like to end each year with reflection and start the new year with a one-word theme. Keep reading if you don’t know what I mean!

There are plenty of resources to help you reflect, and I like to make use of them, but here are some questions from me to get you started.

Discover Your More in 2024!

December 30, 2023 Cathleen Zahradnik

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9 NLT

Dear Friend,

I have a challenge for you as we close out this year.

How much time do you take for reflection? It isn’t part of our culture at all, is it? Go, go, go! Do more and do it faster! Make more money! Have more impact! Be more efficient! What if the more you are looking for is really about becoming who you want to be, who you were designed to be?

Here is my challenge: In these last few days of the year take time to stop, ponder, and determine what you want for next year.

To help you meet that challenge, I’m giving you some questions to jumpstart your reflection. Let them stir grief if needed, inspire celebration, and ignite desire for the new year. If you journal, have your pen nearby to jot down some thoughts.

A Christmas Blessing

December 23, 2023 Cathleen Zahradnik

Dear Friends,

A Christmas blessing for you! Enjoy this holiday season and keep Jesus at the center.

With love,

Cathleen

How to Find the Peace You Long For

December 16, 2023 Cathleen Zahradnik

” For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

Did your family celebrate Advent? Advent is a season of reflection in preparation for Christmas. Perhaps you didn’t grow up in a home that paid attention to spiritual preparation for December 25. Perhaps it was all about the food and the presents and the parties in your home. Sunday church was important to my family, but there wasn’t much reflection going on at home. Tom’s family had an Advent wreath in their home, and we carried that tradition into our family. Now that our kids are on their own, Tom and I still light the candles in our Advent wreath each Sunday of the season and spend time reflecting on the themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love contained in the first coming of Jesus to earth and pointing toward His expected return.

Advent is full of expectation. Waiting, longing, hoping for light in the darkness of winter. Looking back to Israel’s longing for the Messiah to come. Looking ahead to creation’s longing for its King to appear and set all things right.

My thoughts this week are on the theme of peace — Shalom – the restoration of all things. Every relationship. Every broken body. Every fractured peace in the world. All things. ALL THINGS set right. Life as it was meant to be from the very beginning. Life as God designed it to be.

Longing for restoration. Longing for peace. It doesn’t just exist during Advent, does it? That is where humans live. We live in a space of longing for life to be the way it was meant to be.

Where do you need peace in your life? What needs to be restored? Faith that God really does love you? Hope that relationships will be mended? Trust that everything you need will be provided? Vision of a future that you thought was lost?

Longing for something can be a dark and lonely thing, unless you are longing with the expectation that it will happen. That is the definition of hope. Longing with expectation.