03/21/26

One night this past week, I was watching a news program where the host was interviewing a guest who was talking about the division among politicians and citizens about the conflict in Iran. In her question, the host suggested that perhaps both supporters and opponents of the war were unclear about the “end goal” set by the military. So, I wanted to know what the term “end goal” meant. The dictionary tells me that an end goal is the final, long-term, and overarching result or desired outcome of a process, project, or life ambition. That means the “end goal” focuses on the ultimate “why” or destination, acting as a non-negotiable target rather than a specific, actionable step. The English term “end goal” originated in the 1530s as a “limit, boundary, or endpoint of a race.” It signifies the final target, purpose, or destination, emphasizing the ultimate,

With that in mind and its relationship to the current conflict in Iran, I looked to see what psychologists and mental health experts interpret as an “end goal.”  I found that psychologists define an end goal as the ultimate, intrinsically motivating outcome or experience a person desires—such as happiness, love, or personal growth—rather than a touchable milestone. They distinguish these from stepping stones, emphasizing that focusing on end goals increases long-term fulfillment and aligns with personal values. Then I looked at some key psychological perspectives on end goals, and read that they have a deep-rooted value. That means end goals are “felt” rather than just achieved; they bring joy, love, or peace in themselves.

Why does this matter: Psychologists suggest that if you only pursue means goals (like money or status) without connecting them to an end goal (like security or joy), you can achieve your aims and still feel empty. True end goals, however, are often expansive and non-negotiable, reflecting a desired way of living and acting more as a guiding direction than a final destination. Therefore, focusing on end goals, such as personal growth or deep relationships, is considered essential for a “happier and healthier life.” In addition, end goals are deeply tied to core values and identity. Pursuing goals that align with who we want to be—rather than just what we want to have. It is linked to greater long-term fulfillment and mental well-being. In the case of the Iran conflict, we are told that it offers security against any future hostility Iran might inflict on the USA, Israel, and the Middle East had it attained a nuclear bomb capability.

So, what does the Bible say about setting end goals? The Bible encourages setting goals that are aligned with God’s will, focusing on spiritual growth, eternal results, and fulfilling God-given purposes rather than selfish ambitions. The ultimate “end goal” is to know the Christ, become more like Him, and attain the prize of heaven, while submitting personal plans to divine guidance. There are some key Biblical perspectives on End Goals we need to look at: First, their Eternal Perspective: The ultimate goal is not on Earth but in heaven—living in eternal fellowship with God. Paul describes this as pressing toward the “goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). They also include Submission to God’s Will: Goals should be held loosely and submitted to God’s purpose, as James 4:13-15 warns against arrogant planning without considering God’s will. This fosters Spiritual Maturity: A primary goal is growing in spiritual maturity, which involves enduring hardship and becoming more like Christ (Philippians 3:12-15). This will cause us to have God-Centered Ambitions: Goals should focus on serving God and doing His work, rather than just personal ambition (John 4:34).

That brings up the possibility of what I pastor, Rick Warren, called the Purpose Driven Life: Setting goals for the future is encouraged when they align with godly work and stewardship, as seen in Proverbs and the encouragement to finish one’s faith race (2 Timothy 4:7). Did not Solomon say, ^“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” (Proverbs 16:3). Jesus also tells us that, “What we should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what He wants you to do. Then He will give you all these other things we need. (Matthew 6:33). And the apostle Paul also confessed, “I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me. I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God has called me through the Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.” (Philippians 3:13-14.). In the end, if you, as a believer, don’t understand or establish the end goals of living in this world as a part of God’s kingdom and family, then you are sailing life’s sea in a ship without a rudder, and you will never reach your end goal. (Cf. James 3:4)