You get out what you put in, you reap what you sow, you've got to be in it to win it. That's three ways of saying that even though at first you might think you will fail its worth the effort when you finish what you started.
To reach a finish line of any kind, whether that's literally a sport, or whether it's just reading an incredibly long book or in this case getting closer to God, you need to commit to doing what you set out to do. This is a bull headed resolution to carry on even when you reach the point where you feel that it's getting to hard and are asking yourself "What's the point, it's too difficult, what was I thinking"
The key to motivating yourself to achieve things is to get it into your head that you can do what you are setting out to do. So get that idea in your head and think it through, ask God for guidance, get advice, if you come to the decision that you can do it then it's time to forget everything and focus on getting it done.
Let me break it down here (This would be a great moment for a rap song to kick in) -
The first step is to Accept that victory is possible, we have a promised reward in Heaven, God has done his part, you have the capability (Six Million Dollar Man flashback) it up to us now.
The second step is to believe you can do it (and we can do all things through Christ)
The third step is to focus on your goal, have faith, see the finish in your minds eye and never let it waver, let it be what pulls you over the barriers of doubt that will come, if you want it bad enough, there is no power of made that can withstand you.
Now... "Quiet the voices in your head, focus, if victory suggests itself crush it" and celebrate at the finish... run the race. (Just do it - Sorry I couldn't resist).
An athlete has to train for years before he runs a race, why does he train? Because he has accepted that he can get a gold medal his goal is attainable, it is a fact. Why does he run? Because he wants it, you have to want what your going after.
This takes dedication and there's no point in even thinking about doing something unless you are sure you want to do it, and your sure you want to dedicate a certain amount of time to achieving your goal.
What's the point after all, in doing something half heartedly, that's why the bible says to love the lord your God with All your heart and All your Soul and All that is within you, in fact a dedication to do what you set out to do will help you finish, because a time will come, when you have put so much into what you are doing, that you can't give up without making all you have done to get you there pointless and you have to keep going.
So don't do things by half measures this year, come on with us this week and start 2013 by dedicating yourself to achieving something in your life, and let that be a springboard for your future success.
Sp Here's to a New Year of victory, not just in January, but the whole New Year, when at the end you can look back, and with the same small smile you give when you close a good book, say "Look what I have achieved through Christ who strengthened me"
Hope you come along with us this week, God Bless, Josh.