When Will You Finish What You Started?

Originally posted 2017-06-20 11:20:04.

Hi!

How many false starts have you had?  I know you’re wondering, “What is this girl talking about now?  What’s a false start?” Well, it’s easier to explain by describing a few.

Let’s say, you contemplated going back to school to get that first, second, or third degree.  For the first few weeks or months, you were all in.  You enjoyed adamantly researching colleges, and pondering over potential majors and programs.  The thought of earning a degree was exhilarating.  Then, suddenly, you lost interest and dropped the entire idea.  That’s a false start.

Or perhaps you enrolled in college.  You went a few semesters. Then you stopped going.  Another false start.

Maybe you are the one who set out to organize your chaotic walk-in closet.  You meticulously wrote out how you planned to color coordinate your dresses or suits. You bought new shoe racks. You were all gung-ho about the anticipated results. Then, midway through the venture, you decided to re-pot your plants. Now the closet has clothes you intend to give away piled on the floor.  Here we go again; with a false start.

Perhaps you have decided to fulfill your lifelong wish to refurbish old things.  You search through the antique stores.  Then you get a surge of excitement to shellac an unfinished dresser.  You go to the raw furniture store; and you buy a dresser, chest, nightstand and headboard.  You stop by the local hardware; and buy a do-it-yourself book; a sander and gallons of varnish.  You are enthusiastic about the idea of finishing furniture on your own.  But after a few months; the headboard is partly finished, and you haven’t touched the dresser.  As a matter of fact; all the undone furniture has sat in your basement collecting dust since their delivery date.  Oh, what a false start; indeed.

Or are you the one who had an epiphany to start a business?  You have notebooks filled with potential names, plans, target clients, budgets, and launch dates.  You have talked to your confidants about the business.  You even had your graphic designer develop a logo.  But, here it is almost a year later, and you haven’t even filed the articles of incorporation.  Sounds like a non start to me.

So what’s the problem?

My friends, can you relate to any of the above scenarios?  Yes?  Then the question is, “When will you break the cycle and start? …If you don’t relate to the situations mentioned above; what have you started that has taken way too long to finish?  Think about it.  Your unfinished goal very well may fall in the group of a false start.

So, let’s say you can relate to false starts.  Have you scolded yourself with the words, “When are you going to finish what you started?”  After so long, don’t you get tired of so many half done projects?  Have you asked yourself, “Why do I start things, and don’t finish them.’

I have personally been warring with the subject of this post for a month.  Especially since I have an unfinished book; and a couple of other projects that need completing.  I’m not going to even mention when I started the book.  All I can say is, “Rochelle, girlfriend, what’s the problem?”

Reasons or excuses?

Sometimes there are legitimate reasons to stop what you started. You may have hit a financial roadblock. Your health might be sub par. You may have experienced a loss of a loved one.  You may have had to work two jobs to survive.  Or perhaps you are busy in ministry; and time doesn’t allow you to quickly finish what you started.  But at what point do valid reasons become excuses?

Why should a financial hurdle cause you to not finish what you started?   I can see the potential delay.  Yet, there should still be a way; even when it seems like there is no way.   Have you tried every avenue?   What about health challenges.   Does  diminished health come with a, “There is no one to help you,” clause?  I don’t think so.  Also. why does grief have to paralyze you for the rest of your life?   Since when did ministry or working long hours stop you from balancing your life?

My friends, I think we all have to look within ourselves and get to the ‘why,’ behind our false starts.  Sometimes the cause is fear.  We may lack confidence in our abilities.  We may fear rejection from others.  We may have listened to too many pessimistic people and lost our drive.  Sometimes it is a habit.  You and I may have started things without finishing them for so long until it has become the norm.

False starts can enter into every area of your life; and for various reasons.  

False starts hit us all.  This post should have gone out yesterday morning.  But a headache, and pain from last week’s fall fueled writer’s block.  I woke up this morning and began typing; adamant about finishing  this post.  Then, I remembered my cousin Belinda prays every Tuesday morning at 7:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. Eastern time).  I missed the prayer line last week; so I dialed in.  I went back and forth; listening; then typing; then listening and praying.

As I continued to listen to Belinda pray; she mentioned visions and dreams.  Then I thought to write what she prayed.  She prayed, “Help us Oh Lord.  Give us understanding.  Help us to seek you.  Help us to walk by faith.  Help our unbelief.  Help us to obey your every command, Oh God.  Help us to know your voice.  For your sheep know your voice, and a stranger they will not follow.  We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us.  Rule in our hearts today Lord.  Reign in our hearts today Lord.”  Wow!  Thank God!  He used my propensity of false starts to lead me to an answer to combat false starts.  Prayer.  Belinda’s powerful, anointed  targeted prayer uncovered some reasons for false starts.

Hindrances to realizing our visions and dreams are:

  • Lack of understanding
  • Lack of seeking God
  • Disobedience
  • Not knowing God’s voice
  • Listening to strange voices
  • Not realizing we can do all things through Christ and that Christ strengthens us
  • Not allowing God to rule and reign in our hearts
  • Not starting at all; or starting and quitting

My friends, all it takes to finish what you started, is to make up your mind and do it.  Set some new goals; with start dates, follow-up dates, and estimated completion dates.  Make yourself a vision board; and place it where you see it daily.  Step out.  Hold yourself accountable for your success.  Remember to depend upon and have faith in God every step of the way.  Praise God for every small accomplishment.  And when you reach your desired goal, don’t get the big head.  Keep in mind; what the scripture says in Deuteronomy 8:18(a), “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God:  for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.”  (KJV)

Thank you for joining me today.  Let’s get this party started!  Let’s finish what we’ve started!   I’ll leave you with this question.  “When will you finish what you started?”  We will talk soon.

Blessings!

Rochelle