You Only Lose When You Quit

Through what is rough and exhausting, it often seems like the best plan would be to give up.  I would definitely love to just drive home and abandon the tests and projects that stare me down while I go about my life.  Other, "more fun" options lay in front of me, making it easy to distract myself when I am presented with daunting work.  I watch some TV, pack for vacation, shop online... all of these things that may help me in the now but aren't going to get me very far a month down the road.  Senioritis has struck and it is difficult to pick back up and continue pressing on in the face of change and anticipation of other good.  It is a lot like getting a cold, sometimes you just do not think it will be possible to shake it, you feel sluggish, unmotivated, distracted. Although no virus may be present, it seems like it will never go away and to stay in bed or just go home seem like a better option than facing the "MEGA" senior paper, article reviews or studying for a huge test... why bother? More is just on the way, right?

Hebrews 12:12-13 says: Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

God has promised to strengthen us in our weaknesses... even when it seems impossible to begin.  Other factors of life might seem to hold us to the ground and pin us where we are, keeping us from moving forward... remaining in the place that we are as long as possible because it relieves just a little stress, a little burden, a little agony.  In Hebrews, God asks us to make the first move.  To lift up our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees... make a plan, straighten the path... be ready for God to lead you on the path.  Finding that first bit of motivation can be hard and usually does not come in a timely manner.  A professor told my class once that motivation is often the cart and the horse is work... starting on the path will give you the motivation to continue down it in order to complete the job.  I think this is absolutely true... and strengthening ourselves, starting at the work is the way to make ourselves ready for God to lead us and heal us on the long path.  We can do it!  Never quit... Just START!  God will help you with the rest!