I
grew up in a large farm family, with mom and dad, seven boys and
three girls.
Our farm
was a small one, tucked back in the thick piney woods in the
northeast corner of Texas.
One particular year we saw Daniel
Boone on our black & white TV, and got inspired to build a log
cabin.
With all those pine trees it should have been
easy.
We attacked a grove of pine saplings with our
saws and axes and began to assemble the cabin.
At about the one-foot height it
occurred to us that we didn’t have a clue how to leave space for the
door and windows and still keep the thing together.
So, we abandoned it, went to a new
spot and started another one, hoping to discover the secret to doors
and windows as we went.
Today, if the elements had spared the
logs, you could see eight or ten unfinished log cabins in those
woods, all without doors or windows!
Do you have trouble finishing what you start;
in your family relationships, in your career, or in your service to
the Lord?
In my counseling, and while traveling
to conferences around the country, I meet many people who are
frustrated with their inability to accomplish what they consider to
be significant things for themselves.
Sometimes things don’t go as planned
in several areas of our lives and it is difficult to keep motivated
to do what is required to see it through to the conclusion.
Does that sound like you?
You’re not alone; everyone feels that
challenge from time to time.
I like this line from the poem, Don’t
Quit (author unknown),
“So stick to the fight when you’re
hardest hit.
It’s when things seem worse, that you
must not quit.”
The apostle Paul felt the same way.
In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 he said, “I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me
on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for
his appearing.”
I pray that you won’t quit when things get
tough, especially in your relationship with God!
All relationships take a lot of WORK.
Our relationship with God is no
different.
Commit yourself to do the work of
becoming more of what God wants you to be, and to finish what you
start.
Common Sense Application
1.
If you have trouble finishing personal
or professional projects, start by breaking the project into
segments which can be completed one at a time. Set time deadlines
for each, and force yourself to stick to the time allotted.
Get a
mentor or accountability partner who can encourage or chastise you
as needed to ensure accomplishment of your goals.
2. If you have trouble in your
commitments to God you need to set aside more time to spend in His
Word and in prayer. Involve
yourself deeper in the life of your church or Christian group, and
seek another Christian you trust to help guide and encourage you. The
Christian life is not easy, just worth it!
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