My wife and I enjoyed the Winter Olympics. It is amazing what unusual feats each one accomplished in their own event. Just look at the accomplishments made by some U. S. Olympic team members.

Red Girard, a seventeen year old from Colorado was in last place heading into his third and final snowboard run. To accomplish his goal of winning the gold he repeatedly used features of the course that other riders were ignoring. In other words, he took extra risks to accomplish his goal.

Lindsey Vonn, is a three time Olympic medalist. She won Olympic gold in 2010. She won a bronze medal in this years’ Olympic ski racing. She is the oldest woman, at age thirty-three, to win a medal in an Alpine event.

Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall, also bring home the gold. They won America’s first ever cross-country skiing gold medal.

Shawn White, made gold medal history in his gold medal winning run, with a score of 97.75. This victory made him the first snowboarder in history to win three Olympic golds.

Chloe Kim took the gold and became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding medal at the age of seventeen.

Alexa Scimeca Knierim and husband Chris Knierim helped their ice skating team by bringing home the bronze. They are the first American couple to compete in the Olympics since 1998.

Many other US Olympic team members could be included in this list. Each one has a unique story. Each of the participants had the same goal, to make it to the Olympics. However, most had a greater goal. They wanted to win a medal, especially a gold medal.

Simmons’ employees are encouraged to set work goals like, what you anticipate accomplishing this year - both professionally and personally. Probably  you set your goals back in January and some have already been fulfilled.

As a believer in Christ Jesus, do you ever think about setting spiritual goals for yourself? You may have set some goals, like reading the Bible through this year or memorizing more scripture and involving  yourself more in your local church. These are tools to help you be what God wants you to be.

Personal spiritual goals would be more like: Getting rid of a bitter spirit you may have. Be more patient with co-workers or family. Let joy dominate your attitude. Let your relationship with your spouse always be a love-growing relationship. Love God more. When God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, I believe He was testing Abraham with the question, “Whom do you love more Abraham, Me or your son.” Abraham’s  response revealed he loved God more.

The apostle Paul probably enjoyed the Olympics of his day. In his writings he used many athletic terms: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course...”  “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”

The apostle also set spiritual goals for himself. He desired an intimate relationship with God. “I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:12) “Whatever things were gain to me those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...” (Phil. 3:7-8)

God Himself has set a goal for every believer in Christ Jesus. “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.”  (Romans 8:29)

What are you aiming for? If you were to ask God what area of your walk with Him that He would like to invest in and help you to grow, what would it be? With His help, our hope is that this would be a season of growth for you in that area. Seek encouragement in His Word in regards to that area. Sit down with a friend (or a chaplain!) for coffee and ask for wisdom and accountability - someone who will pray with and for you as you seek to grow.