Halfway There

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV). You're half way through to your goal, but can't quite make it to the end. What can you do? You can look into the future. This is much easier than it sounds. You don't need any special powers, only your memory and your dreams. While I would never advocate dwelling in the past or being occupied with the future’s uncertainties, there is great value in understanding the past to focus on your future goals and objectives. There are two steps in this process. First, look into the past. Remember when you first created your goal. Remember the desire and dedication you had. Remember the main reasons you started in the first place. If you decided to lose weight, what was the reason that sparked your goal? If you decided to quit smoking, what was it that prompted you to set that goal? Sometimes when you are stalled at a particular level of progress, just thinking about why you started can get you going again. Repeating your first thoughts and words about your goal will serve as a boost to your confidence and motivation. As time goes on, we sometimes forget why we started something in the first place. It is very important to remember the WHY'S and not only the HOW's. After you look into the past, it's time to look in the opposite direction. There is an important caution to be aware of at this point. NEVER let the past rule your life. Even when you may have failed, today presents another opportunity to succeed. That’s what Paul meant when he instructs us to “forget” the past. Learn from the past. Be motivated from your memories and lessons. Then, succeed in the future! Second, look into the future. Think about the end of your goal, the time you finally accomplish your task. Think about how great you'll feel, how happy you'll be, and how much better off you'll be. You have to see the picture in your mind. Close your eyes and put yourself weeks, months, or years into the future. This can help to keep you focused on your goals. Having a clear picture of where you are going to be will keep you motivated during the time in between. Once you see into the past, and look to the future, you will find the motivation to keep going. Run for the prize that awaits all of us who have trusted in Christ. You can succeed! The Holy Spirit is the power available to you for victory! Halfway there is almost there! Keep moving in His power.