7 Goals You Should Have For 2024

Seven ways that you can grow in your relationship with Christ.

As we are well and truly into 2024, many of our New Year’s Resolutions will already have failed, we will have messed up, and our bright hopes for 2024 may have faded from an unreal luminescence to the more mundane glow of reality.

But as reality kicks in, as the holiday cheer wears off, remember that as Christians our growth does not depend on whether we are keeping our New Year’s Resolutions perfectly or not.

Our growth depends on the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our intentional deepening of our relationship with Christ, and our obedience to the commands of Scripture in the day-to-day situations we face.

And so, as we continue into the end half of January, I want to encourage you with seven important and practical goals that you can have for 2024 that will help you grow in your relationship with Christ this year.

Goal #1: To know more about God.

Be intentional about studying doctrine and theology.

It takes effort, but there is nothing better than cultivating a deeper understanding of Who God is.

As Jesus Himself said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

The more you know about Him, the more you will want to live a life that worships, serves, and glorifies Him.

We have the opportunity to learn about God; our Creator, Saviour, Sustainer, and Redeemer: and He invites us to know Him, to call Him our Father and our Friend.

There can be no greater joy than truly knowing Him and delving into the depths of who He reveals Himself to be in His word.

So invest time into exploring the truths about His character and the way He has worked in the past, is sovereign in the present, and will fulfil His promises for the future.

Goal #2: To have a deeper relationship with Christ.

Knowing about God is important, but it can’t end there.

Pursue a deeper, more personal relationship with Christ by reading His word and praying daily, even when you don’t feel like it.

Meditate on the Scriptures you read, and remind yourself of the truths you learn throughout the day.

Be encouraged that Christ is always with you, and He promises that if you “Draw near to God…He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8a)

The more you invest in your relationship with Christ, the more He will increase your godly character, strengthen your faith, and cultivate your understanding of Him and His word.

Goal #3: To serve Christ and His church more.

The ultimate use of our lives is to serve and glorify Christ and His chosen people.

We have been saved and redeemed, and a life of service and love for the church should be the natural outworking of our salvation: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”

Invest in your local church, pour into the lives of those around you, and be intentional to be a good witness for Christ.

Aim to please and serve Christ first, and everything else will fall into place.

Goal #4: To enjoy creation and God’s blessings.

God created a world filled with beauty, adventure, and endless possibilities.

He has given us a universe to explore.

He is the Author of life, beauty, and joy.

We see God’s benevolence and kindness in James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Take the time to enjoy the gifts He has blessed us with: get outside, and relish each day you get to spend here on earth.

The intricacies and beauty of creation are a revelation of His heart of gentleness, kindness, and love for us.

All the good things we enjoy here on earth are but a shadow of what we have to look forward to in heaven.

Christ is our greatest gift, and living each day in His presence is the most fulfilling way to spend our lives: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Goal #5: To be more intentional with our time.

Our time is limited and invaluable.

We don’t know when our time on earth will come to an end.

This is why Paul encourages us as Christians to, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Live each day ready to enter heaven and see Jesus face to face.

Prepare for your future here on earth but be even more diligent to prepare for your eternal future.

Make the most of the time, invest in worthwhile things, and make each day count.

Goal #6: To invest in friendships that honour Christ.

We are reminded in Proverbs that, “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbour, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Proverbs 12:26)

A wise man chooses his friends carefully and pursues friendships that will draw him closer to Christ.

Prioritise pouring time into the relationships that build up your faith, give you accountability, and strengthen your godly character, rather than those that drag you down or convince you to be more apathetic.

Goal #7: To read more.

God created language and communication, and He revealed Himself to us in a book.

Read more consistently because what you read shapes who you become.

To quote the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon, you must, “Give yourself unto reading. The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains, proves that he has no brains of his own. You need to read.”

Read books about doctrine and theology, read about history and ideology, read novels, poetry, and the classics.

The more you read, the more you will understand the world around you, appreciate the complexities of language, and be equipped to delve deeper into God’s Word.

Read all sorts of literature, but above all, read about God and prioritise deepening your understanding of who He is, because investing your time in this way will always be worth it.

It Will Always Be Worth It!

You can never over-invest in your relationship with Christ or the practical outworking of obedience to the commands of Scripture.

So be encouraged that Christ does not call us to perfection, but He calls us to diligently depend on Him as He works through our lives.

If you truly desire to cultivate a stronger relationship with Christ, and you are willing to depend on Him and submit to His rightful reign over every aspect of your life and future, He will enable you to glorify Him and draw closer to Him through the highs and the lows.