Sometimes it is so easy that starting is all we do, over and over. But finishing is a different discussion.
We live in a culture that has access to nearly anything it could need, or even want. If you get it and decide you don't like it you can always sell it to the next guy and move on to the next thing. We can just start, again.
Want to get in shape. Start Monday. Tired of that new diet or workout plan by Thursday, well that's ok. It probably wasn't the right one for you. Take some time, find a new one and start again, maybe next month. It is so easy to accept less then we want in our results because we tell ourselves we can just start again. But instead of seeing it through we quit, and then start again.
The difference between starting and finishing hit me in 2008 when I ran my first half marathon. About 5 month before the event I signed up and paid my fee. I spend the next several month doing everything I could with my limited knowledge but supportive friend to get myself ready. The day before the race arrived and I went to the hotel to pick up my packet. Along with my race bib and other cool swag was my Long sleeve technical Race t-shirt. Their it was right in my hands.
the next day I hit the course and pounded out my first 13.1 in just a shade over 2 hours. As I crossed the finish line they cut the chip off my shoes and someone reached out and handed me a hat and a medal. The hat said 2008 Go St. Louis Finisher. I got back to my hotel and pulled out the shirt from the previous night. Same logos, same date, same color scheme.. but it didn't have the word finisher on it anywhere. It was a starter shirt. To "earn" that shirt all I had to do was pay and pick it up. I didn't even have to train if I didn't want to. Starting, in this case, was just a quick financial investment and didn't require anything else from me. But finishing that 13 miles in 2 hours with my 230 pound frame... that required something more.
As the #Goalgetter challenge is set to start tomorrow we see some people in the same place. They took a step to "start" by signing up. However with just hours to go they risk being gonged out on day one because they have not yet submitted a video. I Hope they all get those video's in today. I hope every person that signed up gets started, and I hope every starter finishes.
Not every day of the challenge will go as planned, and perhaps not every goal will be met. But that is not really important to finishing. Sure we all want to "win". We all want to meet every goal, maybe early, and experience the perfect 6 month challenge. However Finishing is about the effort much more then the result. Results will come, even if they take a little bit longer then 6 months. Quitting is what we have to defend against. Every day we will strive to move forward, but some days we will slide backwards. We may fail to meet our own expectations for a workout, or a week of workouts. But that doesn't mean we have forfeited the finish. Get back up! Take the next step and you are still working, still progressing towards finishing.
A favorite passage of Scripture come from Hebrews chapter 12, it reminds us how we are to compete.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
A busy work schedule, a surprise trip out of town, an injury that we just don't have time for are some of the weights that cling to us. We have to face them with confidence knowing that together this group can endure. Just like gutting out a tough workout or a long run, together we can support one another and endure the challenge. Great achievements are ahead of us, we just keep our eyes on the prize and keep moving forward.
Be a finisher.
Truth and Transformation!
David
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