You Are Just Getting Started!

How many of you started the New Year off motivated to change? Were you motivated to set new goals and actually meet them? Were you motivated to create a vision board? What motto did you adopt for 2018? Perhaps it was “New Year, New Me”; “Out with the Old, in with the New”; “No New Friends in 2018”; or “Debt Freedom in 2018”. Maybe you have a list of the top 10 things you will do in 2018. 

I personally did not start the year off with a New Year’s Resolution, a Motto or a Vision Board. Our church had Sunday morning service, so it was my first New Year’s Eve at home, in my bed, in 14 years. On January 1st I woke up and said, “Lord I just want to take this year day-by-day.” It was weird and freeing at the same time. If you read my last blog, you know I am reading Reset by Bob Sorge. While reading this book, taking it day-by-day, the Lord has been speaking to me. The last two days in the book are “Day 19 –Endure” and “Day 20-Grow”. All I could think was, “I am just getting started"!

This message is for the person who completed their 2018 Vision Board in August of 2017 and for the person with the Vision Board still sitting empty in the corner. This is for the person with 10 items already checked off on their New Year’s list and for the person still working on #1. This is for the person whose family activities are planned out for 2018 and for the person taking it day-by-day. YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!

Do not count yourself out of the race because you do not have a list yet, and do not count yourself out of the race because your “list” is not happening as planned. If your New Year’s Motto is “No New Friends in 2018”, change it! Do not miss your blessings. (Just saying J) 

Press into God no matter where you are. We can do nothing without Him (John 15:5). As you press into God, you will birth vision. Cast down every vain imagination that exalts itself higher than the knowledge of Christ. Take those negative thoughts captive and obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) He will equip you with everything you need! YOU ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!

  

I have been encouraged by Rebecca Barlow Jordon Prayers for strength found at https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/prayers/a-prayer-for-strength.html

Lord, I’m weary. My energy is sagging, and my motivation is lagging. And I am so in need of you. I need your strength and your fresh touch to get back on track again. Your Word says the joy of the Lord is my strength. If that's true, then I need your joy to replace all the bone-tired parts of my mind, body, and soul.

The pressures of life sometimes push me into a corner, rendering me helpless to move forward. A hundred voices call my name, and I feel paralyzed at times to answer, not knowing where to turn. Lord, help me not to quit, to keep running the race faithfully, and to find strength in that safe, secret place of yours, under the shadow of the Almighty.

I need your strength to say no when I'm tempted to surrender to harmful things, or when selfishness clings to my clothes and won't let go. I need your strength to say yes, when cowardice and fear nudge me to deny the convictions of my heart. I need your strength to reach out in love to those both close to me and all around me. When don't I need your strength, God?

You are my rock, and I run to you today, believing that you will lift up my heavy arms, that you will fuel me for the tasks you've given me, and that your joy will completely consume the weakness of my life and make me strong again. I don't want to stay grounded, crippled by limitations and failed attempts. I'm tired of feeble efforts. Lord, I want to mount up with wings like an eagle and not just fly. I want to soar.

Renew my strength, Lord. Fill me with your supernatural power to overcome each obstacle in my path. With my eyes on you, Lord, with you walking beside me, working through me, I can make it. 

Thank you, Lord! In Jesus's name, Amen