2017 began effortlessly and without much fanfare in my house. Family joined the celebration but many were already headed home before the new year arrived. None of us stayed awake until the clock struck midnight. A new year marks a new beginning, a fresh slate, a do over, an opportunity for endless possibilities. Everything looks rosy and positive vibes run high. But how do you start a new year in a way that you don’t fizzle out when February arrives?
A thought has been swirling around for the last few months and it revolves around perseverance. I banter back and forth with myself and wonder if you start off strong in the new year, how do you keep the momentum going? How do you make a beginning the best it can possibly be?
I think of the number of people who begin their year by making resolutions-goals galore. The list is endless and the statistics of how many make it past the first month with their resolutions still intact is staggeringly low. The beginning quickly becomes the end because perseverance is lacking and motivation runs dry.
In Hebrews, we are called to run our race with perseverance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
So how do we start off strong and keep the momentum going throughout the year? How do we take a beginning and turn it into a middle and end with as much enthusiasm as we began?
I am not going to pretend I have the answers or any answers for that matter. What I know is that we are not asked to push ourselves so hard that we burn out within a few months or even weeks. God called Israel and that same call is the one He has for us.
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? Deuteronomy 10:12-13
[Tweet “God desires our best, not our burnout. #strongbeginning #perseverance #walkwithGod”]
He wants our best but not our burnout. God calls us to consistent obedience, endless faith and intentional time with Him. He desires balance and harmony for our lives. So while we should choose to give our best everyday, God also beckons us to…
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
This year I am looking for balance coupled with a perseverance that takes me well past February. I want to take this beginning and honor God in first steps that lead me to a strong middle and end. The wisest words I heard this year are from my son, Nicholas. As He preached last Sunday, he challenged us to end 2017 better than we ended 2016. This is a goal I can attain, what about you?
Here’s to beginning strong and ending better than we started!
Being burnt-out is a real risk for me. Having chronic illness means I live in a constant state of depletion, requiring pacing, scaling back, being discerning and resting a lot. I never hit the ground running. It’s more of a slow crawl into wakefulness! So I can truly identify with the wisdom you share here, especially these words: “He wants our best but not our burnout.” Amen! I just need to keep telling myself that when I’m tempted to go beyond each day’s capacity. Mary, I’m so thankful for your listening ear which brings such spiritual gems to our attention. Blessings and love to you, my friend! xo <3
Your physical health is a daily challenge and I appreciate you sharing how you need to be discerning each day. It makes me think how much better off we all would be if we chose to listen to God in this way each day. You know yourself well and remind me often that rest is okay. It is a reminder I need to hear.
Your kind words fill my soul Joy! I am blessed by you.
Great encouragement, Mary! The key to success is in the scripture you offered, ” fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” May it be so!
It seems that we will begin well and continue well when we fix our eyes on Jesus. May we turn to Him first when seeking our next steps in the beginning, middle and end. Blessings Friend!
Thank you, Mary, for this encouragement to persevere but not burn out. I have a hard time with setting goals for the new year as it seems I end up beating myself up for not completing it. That verse from Hebrews certainly has the key to it, doesn’t it? Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus! Your post reminds me of the race between the tortoise and the hare. 🙂 I love the tortoise’s example to keep on slowly but steadily, savoring each moment of the way. 🙂 Love and hugs to you!
Slow and steady wins the race! Such a great moral to a story that we all can learn from, right? I know when we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and seek Him first in all, He provides what we need. I pray this year that you feel God’s strength in every moment and His presence is like a blanket around you. Love you friend!
Oh, how we need balance and perseverance for the long haul. Blessings as you live brave and committed throughout 2017!
I believe we all need to strive for God first and in this journey He will provide the balance and perseverance needed. Thank you for the blessings. You know me well to pray for brave and committed. May you live 2017 joyfully and end your year better than 2016.
Hi Mary! I don’t have too many 2017 promises, but I hope to be persistent with the ones I do have. I agree, long lists can be overwhelming. Love that quote about our best vs burnout. So true.
Wishing you the best new year ever, and a year filled with inspiration, grace and joy!
Ceil
Happy New Year Ceil! I think we should all take our cue from not making a list of goals so long we are overwhelmed before we begin. I am praying we are able to seek God first and in the journey give Him our best.
Mary,
It’s only taken me a half century, but I think I’ve finally learned not to set such high goals and expectations at the beginning of the year that I’m burned out before February even rounds the bend. I wholeheartedly agree – perseverance. God calls us not to win the race, but to complete it and completing often takes slow, steady perseverance. Joining with you in pacing ourselves.
Blessings in this new beginning,
Bev xx
I must admit that a fresh slate always makes me giddy. I can easily default to more is better because a new year brings energy. I am with you in slow and steady wins the race. I want to give my all to God and that takes balance and perseverance not burnout. Praying your beginning leads you to many blessings!
Hi Mary, your son’s word resonate with me as to be better is part of my context that has been highlighted for 2017. Often I burn out due to my own limited thinking, however God is not limiting and we can persevere in His strength. Great post!
I love wrapping my mind around ending stronger than the year before. It sounds more manageable than a list of goals or resolutions that I am sure to break. I also burnout because I get in the way of myself. God does not call us to that but instead calls us to Him. Blessings!
Mary- What wise words during this hectic time of year. “He deserves our best, not our burnout” – AMEN! Thanks for a great message to get us off to a great start to 2017 🙂
Thank you Karen! What a treat to see you here today! Here’s to strong beginnings that lead us to our middle and end with strength and perseverance. New Year blessings!