Even though I don't make resolutions, there's something about the beginning of a new year that feels like a fresh new start...like opening a brand new notebook and seeing all those empty, pristine pages just waiting to be filled. I'm always excited to start writing in that notebook.
It's the same with a new year...I'm excited to set goals and get started! I always begin the year by choosing a verse and a word that sums up that scripture. I posted that here yesterday.
As I thought about this, another verse came to mind...
Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
I may be taking a bit of poetic license in how I'm looking at this, but I got thinking that as much as it's great to get off to a good start, how I finish is so much more important and the real measure of my success. This is especially true in spiritual matters; starting with salvation is essential, but if I don't continue to grow each day, I'm not going to live the life God has planned for me, and I'm definitely not going to finish well, as Paul says.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
But even in other areas of life, no matter how good I start, no matter how well laid out my plans are, if I don't persevere and follow-through, I won't accomplish what I set out to do and will have wasted my time and energy.
These were some of my thoughts as I was planning for the coming year, here on LOLWELL. Then I noticed that a couple of the posts I'd been working on speak of the importance of 'maintaining'...whether in the area of wellness or keeping our home clutter-free. It seems I already had the makings of a theme for January! As the title states: Start Well, Persevere, Finish Well.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
But even in other areas of life, no matter how good I start, no matter how well laid out my plans are, if I don't persevere and follow-through, I won't accomplish what I set out to do and will have wasted my time and energy.
These were some of my thoughts as I was planning for the coming year, here on LOLWELL. Then I noticed that a couple of the posts I'd been working on speak of the importance of 'maintaining'...whether in the area of wellness or keeping our home clutter-free. It seems I already had the makings of a theme for January! As the title states: Start Well, Persevere, Finish Well.
I hope you'll join me this month as I look at this topic in practical terms as it pertains to different areas of everyday life.
1. Maintaining Wellness; How Do I Get Back On Track?
2. Beyond Decluttering; Does It Ever End?
3. 4 Healthy Choices For a Quick Start To Weightloss
4. 5 Specific Ways To Focus On Time In God's Word
For women who would like some encouragement or accountability for your own journey, we have a support group: the Christian Ladies Network
I feel this way every month. Nothing like a whole new start. How lucky we are! God bless and i pray you have a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteI feel this way every month. Nothing like a whole new start. How lucky we are! God bless and i pray you have a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a great way to look at each month, checking our progress and start fresh
DeleteGreat perspective.
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget a funeral I attended for a dear friend's father who passed away very suddenly several years ago. It struck me hard that even though death came very unexpectedly, he had finished SO well. As we all heard from family and friends, I realized it was because he had been a man who lived each day with intention and had perseverance and perspective to let the little things go and focus on what really matters. In other words, he lived each and every day sold out for Jesus. It had such a great impact on me, and made me want to live my life in the same way.
That is such an awesome perspective to take away from a celebration of someone's life! Thank you for sharing!
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