All The Way

It's amazing how important the last few steps can be. Our reluctance to follow things all the way through to completion can often negate what we've done to get to that point. We can expend a great deal of energy and still fall short of where we want to be if we don't follow all the way through. My desire to be a good husband and father won't be realized if I don't take the actions to be that man for my family. I can write down a lot of good ideas and even talk about how to make them happen, but fall short by not doing what needs to be done. I can't be partially obedient to a vision by ignoring the last few steps and hoping it all works out.

Completion Percentage

See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord. Colossians 4:17

I wrote yesterday about the importance of doing the right work, but there's another important element to true success: finishing what we've started. 

There is a part of my Type A personality that thrives on the "check mark" in my planner. It's the satisfaction found in marking off tasks and goals and knowing that I accomplished something. At the same time, I have a list of projects that have not been finished and sit waiting for my focused attention. I don't enjoy the fact that things are not done, but it does make me reevaluate the necessity of including them on my agenda. If I'm focused on doing the right thing then I should also be focused on finishing what God has asked me to do. 

There is a great deal of obedience that is found in seeing something through to completion. Not only does it reflect our work ethic and character when we see things through, but it reveals our understanding of our purpose as God has given it to us. 

Incomplete Effort

Last night in the NFL (don't leave non-sports fans--it will be relevant for you in a moment) the Dallas Cowboys lost a game after leading by 20 points at halftime. It was a demoralizing loss that that derailed their positive momentum and leaves them with a bleak outlook on the rest of the season. One of their top players, Dez Bryant, said when asked about their loss, "We fought, but we didn't finish."

How often can that be said about us? When have we worked at an aspect of our lives, but then given up before we completed the job? Where do we fall short due to lack of follow through? This is a common characteristic of human nature. It's why we need constant reminders to strive for the finish line, to persevere through adversity, and follow through on our commitments. It's not enough just to fight for what we believe in. We've got to keep pushing forward until it's complete. 

Do It Anyway

I don't feel like blogging today. I have a list of the reasons why I don't want to do it and yet I find myself sitting down to write anyway. My main motivation is that I have been blogging daily since November and don't want to let one afternoon of indifference keep me from continuing that streak of writing. Honestly, there are going to be days when you just do what you need to do even if you don't necessarily feel like it. The discipline of eating right, exercising, reading your Bible, praying, staying focused at work, and investing in your family will pay off in the long run. On the days when your motivation is low and you feel like giving up it's still important to maintain your commitment. Nothing worthwhile is ever accomplished by only being disciplined when we are highly motivated.

Best Practices

I am finishing Andy Stanley's new book, Deep & Wide, and gaining tremendous insights from his wisdom. Towards the end of the book he writes about how NorthPoint always asks questions about what they do. The big question is, "What's the best way to __________." It's an exercise in evaluating what you are doing & how to do it better. Even though the book was applied to the church, it stirred thoughts for other parts of life as well.

What's the best way to:

• be a committed Christian that engages community without absorbing the culture
• lead my family without allowing my personal agenda to be the driving force
• influence leaders
• increase financial generosity
• develop the best God-led path for my children to follow
• encourage people to volunteer in ministry
• help people see their need for Christ
• to prepare for God's future calling on my life while working diligently in the present
• be involved in our community in ways that are deeper than only meeting physical needs
• stay clear minded & self-controlled
• live a life that leaves a legacy worth following

The hard part isn't asking the question--it's the strategy of follow through that comes with the answer.

Working It

I was talking budget/finances with a colleague and discussing programs for helping people manage their resources. There are several good ones available and while they may have different flavors, they essentially share one common ingredient: have a plan & work the plan.

This obviously isn't just true of budgets and financial planning, but applies to us holistically. If we want to experience growth in any area of our lives we have to determine how we are going to get there and then work towards those goals. It helps to lay out the direction we are desiring to move and then fulfill the intermediate steps that mark off our progress. A lack of planning will only lead to our failure to achieve anything worthwhile.