We’re officially halfway through January. How are you feeling?
If you’re a resolution setter, how are they going? (I’m not a resolutions person, although I do usually look at some of my habits and routines to see what needs to be reworked).
Making resolutions, or recognizing where we need to change, is often the easy part. It’s getting started that sometimes trips us up.
Start Before You’re Ready
This past Christmas, I undertook a long-term, hefty writing project. The goal: to write a new Advent devotional series from scratch.
I didn’t feel entirely equipped to write this series, but the longing to do more devotional-style writing had been nagging at me for a while. I had done something similar before, but I was in a different place then. I had unlimited time to myself to work, and very few demands on my time that weren’t of my own doing.
That’s not the case now. With tiny children running around, demanding snacks and to go outside (the audacity!), I’m only able to write in the small pocket of nap time. So, I started early and gave myself plenty of time.
(Spoiler alert: nothing about the Advent season, or those devotionals, turned out like I thought they would. But that’s a story for another time.)
The important thing for right now is that, even though I didn’t feel qualified enough, or knowledgeable enough, (or like I had enough time), I started anyway.
I started the project not knowing if I would have enough time to finish it, or if it would even be any good.
But still, I stepped out in faith. I started without having all the answers.
Sometimes starting is the hardest part. After all, once you start moving, putting one foot in front of the other, it gets a little easier.
A Classic Example of Someone Else Who Wasn’t Ready
Last year, I read a study on the book of Exodus. I’ve long been intrigued by Moses. As someone who often feels like I’ve missed something, I can relate to Moses.
Moses was not a young man when he received his call from God. And he didn’t go quietly. In fact, he protested. A lot.
In Exodus 3:7, God tells Moses he’s heard the cry of the Israelites from Egypt. He wants to bring them out of slavery. And Moses is going to help.
But Moses asks, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (3:11). God says not to worry, “I will be with you.” (3:12).
Still, Moses protests. “What if I go and they ask me what your name is? What do I tell them? (3:13). But if I go, and I tell them, they won’t believe me. Then what? (4:1). But God, I don’t speak so well. I don’t sound smart, and I have a bit of a stutter (4:10). God, can’t you please send someone else? (4:13).”
Moses wasn’t ready either. He didn’t want the job God had for him. He didn’t feel prepared.
The Time is Now
In this season of resolutions, “New Year, New Me” pressure, we might not feel prepared either.
Too often, we complicate things by waiting for everything to be perfect before we start. I need all the things to do the thing. And then, I have to feel like doing it.
It’s easy to make excuses. It feels safer to delay the start until we feel ready. But the secret is, more often than not, we don’t feel ready until we start.
If we’re honest with ourselves, what’s keeping us from starting is fear. We’re afraid of failing.
We don’t start because we’re afraid that once we do, we will get discouraged and stop. Or the results won’t come as quickly as we want. It’s fear keeping us from starting.
But waiting quietly behind the fear is courage.
All it takes is the first step. Once we build momentum, keeping it going feels easier. Maybe not right away, but eventually. So, here’s your sign to set aside your hesitations and just start.
May we all step out in faith, trusting that the tug we feel is enough. Once we start, may we have patience with ourselves, resting in the fact that starting is often the hardest part.
What are you waiting to start?
