I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
2 Timothy 4:7
Hey guys! How have you been?! I know I know…it’s been a while since I’ve written anything. Life has been life-ing, to say the least ( I’m sure you can attest to the same sentiment) and now that the dust has settled, I’ve decided to fight the good fight (as mentioned above) and commit to finish what I’ve started. For the last couple of years, I’ve become focused on completing loose ends around the end of the year. Whether it’s finishing a book I began earlier in the year, making a plan to write another book for the following year, or creating another failed attempt at committing to a diet, I become fixated on finishing anything I’ve started.
It’s always at the end of one year and the start of another that we become willing to renovate our spaces, physically and mentally. Welcoming the new and evacuating the old at the turn of every new year. Why? What is the fascination of the “New Year, New Me” movement? There’s no greater answer than insight. At the end of an era, we become insightful and reflect on the time spent, taking inventory of what has worked and what hasn’t. This informs us of how to arrive at our goals most effectively which goals to scrap and which to keep or create. As people, our goal is typically to do something better than before. Now, that applies to anything that we enjoy, even negative things. We are little machines who desire to do everything bigger and better with every chance and this year why not fight the good fight bigger and better?
What’s the good fight? 2 Timothy 4:7 is a scripture I’ve only heard referenced at funerals. While reflecting on the deceased’s life full of ups and downs, we’re reminded that pain and suffering are now over for them only to have been rewarded after death and entering into heaven. However, I’d like to point to a bigger aspect of this verse. Paul speaks to fighting the good fight, connecting it to finishing his race and remaining faithful. A good fight is fought when we wrestle with continuing our walk with Christ when quitting is easier. The decision to remain faithful throws us into the fight and sticking it out causes us to win. So when you’re reflecting on your new year goals and current year’s wins and losses, I challenge you to examine your willingness to remain; To stay despite disappointment, pain, loss, and anything that comes your way. Besides isn’t that the goal when we create goals? Exactly.
Use what you’ve learned about yourself to help you reach your goals. For example, I’ve noticed that I work more efficiently while listening to music, I study better listening to instrumental music, and I can become overwhelmed easily, I’m a hard worker but I tend to give up easily if I don’t see any proof of my work. So, if I need to get something done, I turn on music, and while studying, it’s instrumental music. I set timers to work on things so I’m pressured to get them done ASAP, when I complete that, I feel accomplished that I’ve completed something and that alone is the reward that motivates me to do more. The beginning of your new starts when you want it to, so why not make it today, right now! You’re more than able to accomplish all that you desire and more, with God on your side. So, with that, happy new you, Happy New Year, new era, new goals, and new vision.
