I’m right in the middle of keeping a promise. Here’s a bit more about the backstory of Reset Higher before we move on to the rest of this topic.
After two recent life-changing events (the death of my best friend and my own stage one cancer surgery – I’m ok, thank God), I had a lot of thoughts to sort through. Instead of writing in a journal and putting it on the shelf, I decided to write “publically.” I knew my big questions about God, life, and challenges are what lots of people could relate to. Why not be authentic about them? What’s the point of learning and growing if we don’t share our stories and inspire others?
So I did – and here we are! It made me feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but the inspiration to write was even stronger. I wrote a few ThinkSpaces and something happened. A little spring began to flow – and grow! I already had a backlog of things to write about, but ideas kept coming… I prayed and asked God if I should keep going and He confirmed it. So I said, “Ok, I’m in. I’ll commit to writing one message every week and do 100. Then we’ll see what happens.” This is number 50.
To be in the middle of something is a unique place to be. It isn’t the giddy optimism you feel when starting something new, or the thrill of crossing the finish line. It’s the long stretch in between. You have choices:
- You can get discouraged, give up, and quit.
- You can keep the bigger picture in mind and keep going steady.
- You can take a break and come back stronger.
There’s a nautical term called the doldrums that refers to the area around the Equator where sailing ships can get stuck because of a lack of wind. It can also describe a time of inactivity or the slump we feel when our energy is low and making headway is a struggle. “Winter doldrums” are when we feel like spring will never come. But it always does! Don’t give up!
The Holy Bible has much to say about perseverance. Galatians 6:9 (NIV) says,
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Also be aware of the “someday syndrome.” That’s one I work on. I have this fantasy that someday I’ll have a huge block of time – a week or a month – to just tackle and finish a big thing I want or need to do. But for many of us, that elusive “luxury” of time is a mirage. Life is full of interruptions and responsibilities that can’t wait. So now I focus on being happy with steady progress whenever I can fit it in. Progress is progress and each step is closer to the goal.
The Apostle Paul says this about doing our very best, instead of settling into laziness or mediocrity in I Corinthians 9:24 (NLT):
“Don’t you realize that in a race, everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!”
Why keep leveling up our endurance? He goes on to say in verse 25, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”
Our life’s “race” is just the beginning of what awaits us at the finish line as believers in Christ: eternal life in Heaven.
It’s actually an achievement to get to the middle! You’ve had the ability to reach the halfway point and that’s something to celebrate – especially if you’re the only one who knows about it. Halfway to your weight loss goal. Halfway to your college degree. Halfway to your first 30 days of sobriety. Whatever you’re working on in your life, be sure to be kind to yourself and thankful to God for how far you’ve come! Then keep going and finish well!
RESET HIGHER: What are you in the middle of today? No matter if you’re starting the next half of your goal with lots of energy and strength, or in the doldrums and feeling a bit weary – let me encourage you to keep going and not quit the race and throw away all the progress you’ve made. Always pray to God for His strength and the supplies you need. Read His Word and claim His promises. Choose now to finish strong!
