Just begin already...

Why does it sometimes seem so hard to just begin? Have you ever had a project to complete, perhaps a conversation that just needed to start, and it took you forever to get movement? 

One particular time in college, I had a lengthy paper due- 5-6 pages. I kept putting it off. I went to a concert at church with friends the night before it was due, knowing I was severely diminishing my time to do a good piece of work with my assignment. I woke up the next morning at 6am, went downstairs in my dorm to the computer lab, and wrote my paper. I had class at 9am. I ended up doing fine, but later I thought, why do I give myself this undue stress? Why don’t I just start, and give myself the time to finish little by little? I laugh thinking of that story, knowing part of it was my 20 year old college mindset, but I see similar veins throughout my life now. I get overwhelmed with the whole picture, thinking of every moving part, what I need to do for the whole project, and how much time it will take. That’s too much for me to process in a single moment. So I stall. I wait. I overthink. 

To begin, we always think of the end result. But to begin for God, we just need to move. He already has the end result. He can carry that for us, while giving us the strength to start. It does not have to be a big moment. Just begin.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...” Zechariah 4:10

Here Zechariah is encouraging the people to continue the work of rebuilding the temple that they had stalled on from discouragement and sin (turning from God). Jerusalem had been destroyed, and the people were losing sight. It was taking too long and it wouldn’t be as grand as it once was. They dreamed of their beautiful temple, but they couldn’t get it done. They were discouraged. How many times have you been discouraged by a dream you want to see come true, but it feels entirely impossible? Maybe it's not a dream, but a task that needs to be completed. Cleaning out the garage. Calling your sister. Meeting with a friend. Registering for that program you've been eyeing.

Due to the lack of motivation, getting lost in the details and being distracted by worldly matters, the temple took 20 years to complete. They had been without a temple for 70 years. When Zechariah came around, he encouraged them to just begin again, to continue what they started. 

What a message that is relevant for us today! (See how the bible is so cool??) God is pleased when we simply begin. Typically the world view sees the deadline at the forefront; work, work, work until you are done; don’t talk to me until you’re done. God is the exact opposite. Come to Him first, and let Him lay out the plan. Our obedience allows Him to work in our lives, not fretting over the whole picture, but going step by step in accordance with Him.

We all dream of the end result. Perhaps that is what gets us to start at all. But your lasting impact you may never know. That is hard for us, because we want the glory, don’t we? We want to know that we did a good job, that it was worth it, that there is some reward for us at the end. But our obedience to God is not for our glory, it is for His. Even in our everyday tasks, God has a purpose and a plan. Our lives become richer when we let Him lead us.

Having God in your life makes your life better and makes you better at life. -Andy Stanley

God has the end result already, He just wants our obedience to begin. 

He also knows how we'll stumble. But He never turns away or becomes discouraged with us. Give Him a chance. Can it hurt to try?

What are you holding onto? 

What do you need to start?

Have you given it to God? 

Let Him encourage you. Begin.

And be encouraged that God will fulfill your life with purpose.

Put it into practice:

That project, idea, or conversation in your mind. Make out a plan to begin. Don’t think of the whole ending. Think of practical ways to start. And do it. Watch how it unfolds in your life. Bring it to God and let Him lead you on ways to continue without getting distracted or discouraged. 

For encouragement, read Zechariah. His prophecy gives hope to God’s people at that time, and reveals God’s future with the Messiah, Jesus. We can have hope through reading it, knowing that God delivers on His promises. 

Dear God,

Thank you for being the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13). You know my purpose and what you want me to do. Please help me bring it to you, and give me strength to begin. Help me not be overwhelmed or distracted, just let me begin. Let me see you move in my life and be encouraged to continue day by day.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Stanley, Andy. Northpoint Ministries. Atlanta, GA.

I am not a Bible scholar or preacher, I am just a girl who loves Jesus. This is my interpretation of things I have learned. I hope it can encourage you and lead you to the bible to see the truth for yourself. :-)