You have some good goals in mind, and you trust that the Lord will lead you. But, what if you fail? You’re afraid you won’t follow through, you’ll mess up, and you’ll disappoint God.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

There’s a popular saying that reads, “She believed she could and so she did.” God’s Word reveals to us a deeper, freeing truth, though: She believed she couldn’t, so God did. You don’t have to do it all, my friend.

God doesn’t expect you to be perfect. That’s why He sent Jesus to save us—He knew we needed a Savior to be our strength when we are weak, to guide us, to show us the way, and to take the punishment for our sins. The gospel is what fuels God-led goals, helping us feel motivated to get back on track when we fall. Where you can’t, He can. In fact, He already did on the cross.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13-14

No matter what you achieve or don’t achieve, God has achieved the ultimate victory over death for you and for me! There isn’t a mess you’ve made that He can’t make into something beautiful.

Let’s put it all together:

• Seek His wisdom on God-led goals and wise planning. He will give it to you!
• Take steps in faith, in the big goals and the seemingly-mundane steps between.
• And trust Him to pour His grace out over you in the many times you’ll mess up along the way—because you’ll mess up! But, if your goals are pointed right at Him, you won’t jump ship. You’ll turn to Him for strength and wisdom, knowing how you achieve goals doesn’t matter as much as why.

Pray with me: Lord, what an adventure this has been in your life-giving Word! Help me to do something about what I’ve learned and most of all, help me to share the Good News of Jesus. Let all my goals, big and small, lead me to Your feet. And in the times I falter, remind me of your transforming grace. Let that grace compel me forward to live out your purpose for my life! In Jesus’ name. Amen!