Goal Setting

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

~Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

A few years ago, I changed the way I thought about developing my goals for an upcoming year. Instead of spending time creating goals I wanted to work on, I decided to ask the Lord to give me a Bible verse. I knew my verse for the year would guide me.

For the past couple of years, I chose the same verse: Ephesians 2: 10. I love how this verse reads in the Passion Translation.

We have become His poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny He has given for each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it.

~Ephesians 2:10 TPT

God’s Poetry

Both versions, the New King James and the Passion Translation, stress that we are God’s handiwork. In other words, we are His “workmanship” or “poetry.” However, they differ about the specifics of how we are to do what God desires. The New King James emphasizes that God created us for good works that He prepared even before we were born.

Our response is the question. How should we walk in these works? It seems as if it will be an easy task that is not filled with striving. I imagine it as a walk where we talk with Jesus as our guide, with Him telling us which way to turn as we go throughout our days.

The Passion Translation refers to these good works as the destiny God gave us and refers to the fact that Jesus partners with us in this work.

Rest

Matthew 11:28-29 TPT emphasizes similar thoughts.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 TPT

Both passages in the Passion Translation refer to us being joined to Jesus. This is important. As we join ourselves to Him, our burden and path are made light as Jesus mentions.

Reading and Reflecting

But, how do we apply that? The key to this union with Christ rests in the intimacy we allow Him to have. I have gained this intimacy primarily through spending time with Him by reading His Word and through my quiet time of prayer.

Through reading God’s Word and praying, our spirits and souls join Him. As we spend time reflecting on the Scriptures and talking to Him, rest comes.

Listening Time

One aspect I added to my quiet time that improved the quality of my relationship with the Lord is taking time to sit in silence with Him. This allows me to see if there might be something God puts in my thoughts. In this listening time, ideas spring into my conscious mind, giving me guidance on how He wants me to spend the day.

In quietness of spirit, our journey and the good works God wants from us flow. Our walk through life with Him becomes far easier as we take on this yoke. We center on Him as we go through our daily lives without creating any fear or stress.

What verse can you select to guide you through a year? 

Heavenly Father, please highlight a special verse from Your Word to guide me through each year. Thank You for Your direction. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: My Verse for the Year: Elizabeth Zacharias: All Rights Reserved