“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Watch your step.”
Thomas S. Monson
Take a quick look at your calendar. See it? It’s already the middle of January. I’m sure you’re aware of the passing of time, but have you begun your list yet? You know, things like:
Start eating healthier.
Walk every day. (It gets really challenging when the temperature is subfreezing.)
Drink more water.
Start your Bible reading plan.
Read a book every month.
Make time for the quiet.
Mend a broken relationship.
Share your faith with a family member or a friend.
We notice the lists, promises and progress people make on social media or in conversations with friends. Sometimes we start big and by January 17th, we’re done with all of that and right back to where we began on January 1st.
This isn’t a rant to guilt you into making resolutions or making you feel bad when you fail, it’s simply an urge for all of us to just begin. Take the first step. Start a conversation. Write the first word. And when we mess up, to begin again.
How do we know where to start? As Maria sang in “The Sound of Music,” (my all-time favorite movie) “Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.” (If you want to sing along, the link to “Do-Re-Mi” is provided for you below.)
What do you find at the beginning? A plan to start over. A vision of the end goal. You imagine what it will take to get there. When you find yourself somewhere between the beginning and the end, in the messiness of life, you may fail with your goals and be forced to start over. Sometimes that happens again, and again and again and again.
At my church last Sunday, we sang a song new to me: “Run to the Father.” I’ve provided a link to the video below. Take a few minutes to watch this powerful song. I love these lyrics:
I run to the Father I fall into grace I'm done with the hiding No reason to wait My heart needs a surgeon My soul needs a friend So I'll run to the Father Again and again and again and again.
Cody Carnes, “Run to the Father”
The first step is always the hardest. Starting over isn’t easy. But keep trying. The Father will meet you there and help you begin. Again.
Wednesday in the Word
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1-2
Share Your Good Words
Good Questions of the Week: What do you need to begin? What do you need to start over? What do you do when you get discouraged in your journey?
Sometimes it’s hard to get started writing. But every story begins by typing the first word. I’ve gathered many of my stories in my upcoming book. I invite you to read more about Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life With Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link to read more on my website.
BOOK DESCRIPTION: God calls us all to live a life of purpose -- to live prepared to be on mission and go where He needs us both locally and globally. Through life-shaping stories, Unseen People offers encouragement, inspiration and prepares our hearts when it’s time to go. Sometimes the hard places He guides us to are next door, not around the world. The call is the same -- to see and serve people, to hear and share their stories. You will be different. Their stories will shape you, change you and challenge you to keep going.
Even God got angry and started over, well, almost. Remember when He was enraged with the people who turned away from Him and chose to live in open, rampant sin? Remember the plan and promise He gave to Noah? When the flood waters came and wiped away most of His creation, new life began again. He gave people another chance to begin again. There are many stories about beginning again throughout scripture. Through healing the untouchables. Seeing the neglected. Feeding the physically and spiritually hungry. What is your favorite story about new beginnings?
I like the story of Jonah. He didn't do what he was supposed to, so got swallowed by a big fish. He probably thought he was going to die a slow, miserable death in there. But God gave him another chance and the fish spat Jonah out. Jonah went from a dark, scary, smelly, disgusting place to die to another chance to start over and do what God told him to do.
You are right, everyone has to start somewhere. Wherever you are, take the first step...
I like the story of Jonah. He didn't do what he was supposed to, so got swallowed by a big fish. He probably thought he was going to die a slow, miserable death in there. But God gave him another chance and the fish spat Jonah out. Jonah went from a dark, scary, smelly, disgusting place to die to another chance to start over and do what God told him to do.