 |
|
|
I just can’t wait to get started!
Walking into Wal-Mart early this morning I thought how this was the year I was finally going to loose weight once I started the popular South Beach Diet. Not even below-zero wind chill temperatures and slick, icy roads held me back from getting that diet book on sale.
“Yes……One book left!” I squealed, grabbing the last copy.
But that wasn’t all I threw in my cart. When I saw a new brand of knitting yarn, I had to have that, too. Now I need more yarn about as much as I need air conditioning in my car right now. With a closet stuffed full of assorted yarns and partially-finished afghans, I just needed to complete what I’ve started. Yet, I’m still always gung-ho to get started on a new project even though I have many unfinished ones.
Driving home, I thought, again, about how I always say, “I just can’t wait to get started,” and started doubting my success on this new diet. After all, I was a Weight Watchers drop-out, and had tried and failed with just about every other diet out there.
For me, getting started on almost anything new is easy. What’s hard is continuing when I hit a snag. It’s somewhere in the middle of a project or goal that it gets difficult. When I have to unravel 30 rows of yarn because of a dropped stitch, or continue on my food plan when the scale doesn’t budge, I want to throw in the towel and quit. It’s not fun any more. Starting is fun, but finishing is tough.
Writing is another hobby that challenges me to “stay the course.” Years ago, I’d put my writing “on the shelf” after papering my office with too many rejection slips. But thanks to an awesome web site I stumbled across last year, I’ve rekindled it. If it weren’t for the weekly Writing Challenges of “Faithwriters.com” I probably would have given up, again, by now. But even then, after getting those rejection letters or not placing for awhile, I can still get discouraged. Yep, setting up a new office is more exciting than writing in it every day.
The same goes for my Christian walk. There’s nothing to compare with the joy of getting started with Jesus. I remember how it was almost 35 years ago that I first prayed to be filled with the Holy Sprit as a college student. I floated on a cloud for the rest of the semester, totally in love with Jesus, committed to spiritual goals. Then, after coming home for the summer, it wasn’t long before I forgot my first love. Oh, Jesus was still there. But because I didn’t get the support I needed from my family, He took a back seat.
Later, I married, started my own family, and often thought about my college days and the joy I’d known walking daily in the Holy Spirit. Then, in the mid-1980s I, renewed my walk with Lord, engrossed in Bible Studies and prayer groups.
Since then I’ve staggered in my spiritual walk.
Only yesterday, my pastor challenged me in his sermon to rededicate myself to more intense prayer and Bible study. I haven’t started yet…, but I will soon. Needing Him now more than ever, I’m having to release some challenging situations to Him. Often, I feel alone in my struggles--without the strong support group I once had, feeling no one understands what I’m going though. As heaviness set in, I wondered if I could keep any commitment.
I may succeed at first, but with my track record, I probably won’t keep it up, I thought, Then breaking through my negative thoughts, the Holy Spirit whispered in His sweet, gentle voice ….You’re not alone….I’m right here…and it’s not you that started that good work in the first place…It was I…”
Once home, I got chills noting this week’s new “Faithwrters” challenge word was “start”. I opened my bible and read “He who stared a good work in you will make it complete until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 (BBE)
God started the work. Not me! Yes, without Him I will fail--not finishing what I started. But with Him, trusting Him to complete what He started, I will succeed.
With God as my pilot, (yes, He’s more than a copilot) I can fly high and say with all confidence….
“I just can’t wait to get started!”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
