Today is New Year’s Eve. And tomorrow, every year, one thing is trending- resolutions. We LOVE the thought of a new start. My guess is if you’re reading, you too are planning something new. We’ve all been guilty of this phenomenon.
But what happens?
Let’s be honest. More often than not, we generally don’t finish what we start on January 1st.
I say “we” because I’m amongst this group.
I’ve used the latter of December to plan for a “new me” beginning on January 1st. It started with a trip to the store, buying all the healthy foods in hopes of leaving myself “no excuses.” Then, I’d return and throw out every piece of leftover Halloween candy and Christmas junk while exclaiming, “Not today, Satan,” as I tossed it in the trash. I’d follow up with purchasing the latest workout video and cute workout clothes (because that always helps, right?). Lastly, the night before my “new me” debut, I’d set my alarm for 5 am. “I can do this,” I’d chant to myself like the little engine that could.
My start style is overzealous since I’m an “all in or nothing” kind of gal. If I’m not full throttle, I’m merely putting along. Consequently, this tendency leads to an inevitable outcome called burnout. I’d regretfully quit before hitting my first fitness milestone. Why? I failed to pace myself.
Even God’s word has something to say about such happenings.
“Finishing is better than starting.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 NLT
I learned this ideology the hard way when I decided to become a runner. Resolved to be someone who ran for exercise and pleasure, not a crazy marathon runner, the idea was intriguing. I wanted to enjoy running for the first time in my life without being forced, like in gym class. Therefore, I ran with intentionality until I figured out if I indeed liked it or not. Ironically, I grew to love it.
A problem, however, will arise in running if you start with too much enthusiasm. Starting strong doesn’t equate to finishing strong. For me, I only finished strong when I started slow, pushed through the uncomfortable, and paced myself. Setting a pace in the beginning always determined my success in the end.
Alexander Whyte said, “A victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings.”
Spiritually speaking, God is ALWAYS doing a new thing in our lives even though we tend to box every fresh start into one day a year. The same method is valid here. Full steam ahead, isn’t a bad thing until it becomes a bad thing. High expectations are set, and we hold ourselves to nothing less—a parallel to running. We’ll indeed tire out. Life happens and seasons change. We hit walls of resistance, and it becomes painful to keep going. Giving up is more accessible than continuing.
It’s no surprise that the author of Hebrews compares our walk with the Lord to running.
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV
“Run with endurance.” Did you catch that?
It didn’t say, “Run with speed.”
Even God reiterates our need to pace in the race He has set. It’s an individualized course for each of us, not a race to cross the unknown finish line first. But, I’m guilty of not always withstanding God’s new thing for me until the end. The zeal overtakes my ability to sustain.
A recent contemplation caught my attention. It came like a car running a red light that T-bones you. Fast and out of nowhere. Feeling dazed and confused, I questioned the path 2021 had paved in front of me. I had come so far, and yet after all the work imposed, a desire to give up was overwhelming. I decided a time-out was needed from added daily tasks allowing extra time in His word. I sought after His will. “To quit or not to quit?” God’s will was at the forefront of my mind, but in the core of my heart, I was tired; tired of trying, tired of disappointment, and tired of hustling through life with no mind-blowing fruits to my labor. “What’s the point?” I thought as I wallowed in a confused state.
The answer to the dilemma hit me as fast as the problem came itself. I started too quickly. I need to slow down. So distracted by doing, I failed to a pace. A rookie move. Especially from someone like myself who isn’t such a rookie regarding this vital truth.
When I’m not paced, I lack grace. My hurried heart quickens to a heavy heart. My rushed spirit breeds contemplations of quitting. Grace is exempt from me and everyone around me when my gears are in overdrive.
I think this is where we all go wrong; in life, running, and our walk with the Lord. We start strong, but we finish weak. Or even worse, we don’t finish at all. You know this is true. Drive-by your local gym today; the parking lot will be full. Drive by the same gym in May; it will be nearly empty.
Let’s get spiritual and take it a step forward. When you started your walk with the Lord, how devoted were you then? How often did you go to church? How often did you read your Bible? What about now? Has anything changed?
I hope your race with the Lord is a beautiful depiction of Hebrews 12. A race of endurance and perseverance. But if it’s not, and it’s a race of velocity, distractions, and unspoken competitions, you’ll soon be forced to make a difficult choice- slow down or give up.
As we cross into a new year with the newness of heart at the forefront of our minds, I hope this is a fresh reminder as you begin whatever it is you’ve decided to start. Maybe a new endeavor with Christ or a new path in Him. Perhaps, you’ve removed yourself from the race and today you’ve decided is the day to jump back in and resume running. Gosh, I pray that happens. Or possibly, your resolution is something more mainstream. Whatever it is, a new start is likely happening. When it does, I hope you heed this biblical truth to not only start but to finish.
Today friends, let’s start a new thing! Let’s start strong! Let’s set a pace for ourselves as we look to Christ, the author, and finisher of our faith. Through Him, and only by Him, we will finish strong!
Press on!
Happy New Year!
Love you friends,
Erika
