 A Good Start
Here we are just one week into the new year. With the challenges that the whole world has faced the last 2 years, many of us are heading into 2022 with a mix of apprehension and anticipation. You may be concerned about what earth shattering or life changing thing will happen next. Certainly, the profound pace of change that we have all experienced recently could lead us to feel a lack of stability. The one thing we do know is that future events are uncertain and things will happen that could not have been planned for or anticipated. However, as we enter this new year we can also have an optimistic outlook. We can have a mindset that focuses on the real possibilities and genuine opportunities that we will encounter in the next 12 months. Something about the changing of the date seems to inspire us to imagine all the changes that we want to make. Obviously, most people do not make all those changes but the new year does seem to signify a fresh start. Even if the circumstances around us haven’t changed it is helpful to put the past in the past and move forward with the things we can do and that God has given us to for Him! Just Start Maybe the new year can serve you by getting you started. What I mean is that often what hinders our progress is nothing but our own procrastination. What we need is to just start. Have you ever wanted to make a change or start something new? You planned and dreamed but you never actually did it because you just never started. Possibly you never started because the timing or the planning or the circumstances were never perfect. Well those things will never be perfect and it is possible for our vision of excellence to keep us from doing what is good and needed. Many people tend to think that if the start isn’t perfect, then they will be destined for failure. But the only thing that has a 100% risk of failure is doing nothing. If we are not engaged in the purposes that God has for us then we have already failed. Do you want to grow closer to the Lord? Then you know you need to read the Bible, but it begins with reading the first page. Do you want to disciple your children? Then it starts with the first night or morning when you read scripture and pray with them. Do you want deep meaningful Christian relationships? Then it starts with gathering regularly with your church and in smaller groups (Sunday school, midweek, etc.) till those connections are formed. The point is that none of these things are automatic if we do not start cultivation our lives toward a God centered culture. Start to Finish First, we need to start, but next, we need to continue. We as God’s people need to keep going in pursuit of God. We need to be straining toward the heavenly goal (Philippians 3:12-16). Paul is so clear that as Christians we need to keep our eyes focused and our lives moving. This is because we are citizens of heaven and not so that we will be citizens of heaven. Paul’s point to the Philippians is that if they are truly in Christ then they will keep going with Christ at the center of our lives. We now belong to Him and so we seek Him! Do you enjoy the sense of accomplishment when a task is completed? Even as I write this I am experiencing that satisfaction of this task being done. But the only way to finish a task is to begin. So let us with eager anticipation get a good start in 2022!
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