Start! Finish!

Starting something is good, but crossing the finish line is even better. Look at Noah. He was told to build an enormous boat but didn’t have professional help; he only had a few unqualified family members. And, as far as I know, Noah was a righteous man, not a carpenter with skills. Despite the inconveniences, he still hammered away day after day. I have to applaud this man’s consistency. And to top it off, what he started, he finished (Genesis 6). 

To finish what we start requires commitment. It’s not something we turn off and on but needs continuous work. It will test and challenge you. Like Noah, building a gigantic boat in the desert with no sign of rain was strange. Still, he spent years building that ark without advanced technology, power tools, and cutting-edge equipment. What a committed man he was!

Being consistent isn’t about feeling inspired or motivated; it’s about discipline. Discipline means doing something even when we don’t feel like doing it. For some, this may seem mundane and boring. And though it may not be the most adventurous thing, it’s powerful. I heard John Maxwell say, “Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.” Many of us like to dabble, jumping from one activity to the next when something doesn’t work out. It’s easy to cave into our feelings of discomfort rather than slowly build a sustaining habit. However, what we repeatedly spend time doing and thinking about each day will play an important role in determining the course of our lives (Proverbs 23:7). 

Consistency isn’t going to be easy. We must be like athletes who endure rigorous training to win the prize at the end of their race. We must also stay committed to what we begin in order to reach our maximum potential. That means sticking with something even after the excitement wears off. Otherwise, quitting will become our habit.

God has a spectacular future for you, but you must decide which habits will take you there. God has begun a good work in you and will continue to infuse you with the power to finish it (Philippians 1:6). So don’t let your good intentions grow stale. Do what you can, not what you can’t. Let the eagerness you had in the beginning come forth (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). Whatever you started, pick it back up. Remember, you’re not called to do everything, but you are called to do something. So, be patient with yourself and take baby steps.

Stephanie Jones