Unknown Author
More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin.
I don't know about the weather where you live, but where I live, it has started to get cold. Actually, it IS cold, and I am reminded of this every morning when I look outside and see the yard and trees shivering under a blanket of frost.
Let's just say, as a runner, THAT is not what I call motivation. Actually, it's the opposite. It's a good reason to stay in my sweatpants, sit on the couch, and drink hot cocoa. However, my growing waistband, and slowly atrophying calf muscles would disagree...therefore, I run.
To add to my de-motivation, (yes, it's a word- because I said so,) running on the treadmill is to me as torture is to... anyone, so THAT is also out of the question. Hence, I find myself donning multiple layers of clothing, some "cold gear," some not, and the rest whatever-happens-to-be-clean-and warm-looking-gear, and heading out into the elements. Ultimately, although I end up looking somewhat like the little brother from the Christmas Story (see photo above,) I start my run.
Surprisingly, once I get going, it's not as bad as I anticipated it would be. I can usually get through the whole thing without icicles forming in my nostrils or the reverse- snot running all over my face, and I actually feel good when I finish. Invigorated even. It's amazing. And even though the experience proves to be very enjoyable, the next day I find myself contemplating the couch and hot cocoa...again.
Why is that?
Why is it that even though I know the experience will be beneficial and enjoyable, do I dread beginning?
I'll tell you why- I know you're waiting to hear it.
Because where I am now, is more comfortable than where I need to be to move forward.
Moving forward takes work. It's cold, often windy, and just plain hard.
It takes preparation- what's the weather like today? Where are my clothes? Which clothes should I wear? Is one layer enough or do I need two? Maybe three?
It takes courage- won't everyone think I'm crazy when they see me out there? Won't it be getting dark soon? Or...is it STILL dark out?
But mostly, its just uncomfortable. I HATE being cold.
That first step outside is like a slap in the face, the second step is like...another slap in the face...but after a few hundred meters, it's like I don't even feel it.
A lot of times, we face similar situations in our lives. Even the Bible admits- there is a certain sense of accomplishment and pride when we finish a task because beginning is hard.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 says," The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
The Message Version says,
"Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out."
The end is often better than the beginning...Check it out.
This was true in the case of Job:" Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12) and "Though your (Job's) beginning was small,
Yet your latter end would increase abundantly" (Job 8:7)
and In the case of Ruth in her relationship with Boaz: "Then he said, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich," (Ruth 3:10)
The beginning is important, because without it, there can be no end.
So, even though it is uncomfortable, even though it may seem impossible, or just plain hard, know that the end of a thing is better than it's beginning, and in due season, you will reap a harvest if you do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9) The Lord has promised to make your end better than your beginning. He IS the "author and FINISHER of your faith." (Hebrews 12:2) Therefore, what He has started in You, He will FINISH.(Philippians 1:6)
But you have to take that first step. You have to begin.
It might be cold.
It might be windy.
It might be uncomfortable....still, I encourage you:
BEGIN.
Get going! And I promise, with the Lord's help, your ending will be infinitely better than your beginning.
Let's just say, as a runner, THAT is not what I call motivation. Actually, it's the opposite. It's a good reason to stay in my sweatpants, sit on the couch, and drink hot cocoa. However, my growing waistband, and slowly atrophying calf muscles would disagree...therefore, I run.
To add to my de-motivation, (yes, it's a word- because I said so,) running on the treadmill is to me as torture is to... anyone, so THAT is also out of the question. Hence, I find myself donning multiple layers of clothing, some "cold gear," some not, and the rest whatever-happens-to-be-clean-and warm-looking-gear, and heading out into the elements. Ultimately, although I end up looking somewhat like the little brother from the Christmas Story (see photo above,) I start my run.
Surprisingly, once I get going, it's not as bad as I anticipated it would be. I can usually get through the whole thing without icicles forming in my nostrils or the reverse- snot running all over my face, and I actually feel good when I finish. Invigorated even. It's amazing. And even though the experience proves to be very enjoyable, the next day I find myself contemplating the couch and hot cocoa...again.
Why is that?
Why is it that even though I know the experience will be beneficial and enjoyable, do I dread beginning?
I'll tell you why- I know you're waiting to hear it.
Because where I am now, is more comfortable than where I need to be to move forward.
Moving forward takes work. It's cold, often windy, and just plain hard.
It takes preparation- what's the weather like today? Where are my clothes? Which clothes should I wear? Is one layer enough or do I need two? Maybe three?
It takes courage- won't everyone think I'm crazy when they see me out there? Won't it be getting dark soon? Or...is it STILL dark out?
But mostly, its just uncomfortable. I HATE being cold.
That first step outside is like a slap in the face, the second step is like...another slap in the face...but after a few hundred meters, it's like I don't even feel it.
A lot of times, we face similar situations in our lives. Even the Bible admits- there is a certain sense of accomplishment and pride when we finish a task because beginning is hard.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 says," The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."
The Message Version says,
"Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out."
The end is often better than the beginning...Check it out.
This was true in the case of Job:" Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12) and "Though your (Job's) beginning was small,
Yet your latter end would increase abundantly" (Job 8:7)
and In the case of Ruth in her relationship with Boaz: "Then he said, “Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich," (Ruth 3:10)
The beginning is important, because without it, there can be no end.
So, even though it is uncomfortable, even though it may seem impossible, or just plain hard, know that the end of a thing is better than it's beginning, and in due season, you will reap a harvest if you do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:9) The Lord has promised to make your end better than your beginning. He IS the "author and FINISHER of your faith." (Hebrews 12:2) Therefore, what He has started in You, He will FINISH.(Philippians 1:6)
But you have to take that first step. You have to begin.
It might be cold.
It might be windy.
It might be uncomfortable....still, I encourage you:
BEGIN.
Get going! And I promise, with the Lord's help, your ending will be infinitely better than your beginning.
Great is the art of beginning, but greater the art is of ending.
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW, "Elegiac Verse"
St. Francis of Assisi
Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.