Hey Soldier,
Happy New Year!
Please note: This blog post isn’t here to offer mere motivation; it’s here to propel you past your weaknesses and show you that you are capable. Success is achieved one day at a time, one second at a time. You can do it!
Of a truth, many experience a surge of enthusiasm with the arrival of the new year, often channeling this energy into setting new goals, cultivating new habits, and embarking on journeys of self-improvement.
While some individuals manage to maintain their discipline throughout the entire year, others find their motivation waning after a quarter, a month, or even just a few days. If you happen to fall into the category of those who have lost focus and motivation by the third day of the new year, well, I believe there is a solution.
“But Sharon, therein lies the dilemma: the actual DOING! It’s not a lack of inspiration or awareness of the required effort that hinders me. The struggle lies in sustaining the momentum.”
Dear Soldier, I’ve found myself in this predicament as well. Initially, I attributed it to genuine busyness preventing me from pursuing other goals. So, I decluttered and created more time for myself. Surprisingly, even with free time, I still struggled to take action. That’s when it hit me, because I trained my mind to believe I was ‘busy’ I STOPPED doing but the key is: regardless of being busy or not, motivated or not, supported or not, the key is to DO. Commit to action, commit to obedience, push through the pain and confusion, and give it your all. Just DO.
Take this post, for instance—I had zero inclination to write. I mean it, the motivation to pen down anything was at its lowest. I had even set a specific posting time as a personal goal, but when the moment came to initiate the writing process, it felt like an uphill battle. So, what did I do? I simply began. This wasn’t a case of feeling a compelling need to share or a surge of passion to push others. It wasn’t a scenario where external pressure forced me into action. No, it was a moment when I came to the realization that, whether motivated or not, action is imperative for the realization of your purpose. It was a simple acknowledgment that in certain instances, you just need to act and get things done.
However, there was a greater force propelling me forward—the Holy Spirit. It was a commitment to obedience, relying on divine assistance to hold me accountable to my discipline. I had to shift from depending solely on my own abilities and motivation to leaning on God for support. Indeed, when God instructs you to do something, the willingness to obey prevails, even when the emotional inclination may not be present. It’s akin to the commitment a new mother exhibits—tending to her child’s needs, such as waking up to feed, even when personal desires lean towards rest. In both cases, the choice to act stems from a sense of responsibility and in other times, obedience, transcending momentary feelings.
So, to my fellow Christian soldiers, as you navigate through this year with the goals you’ve set, don’t rely solely on your strength to fulfill them. Even accountability partners, well-intentioned as they may be, can falter. Instead, look to a higher will, one that can hold you accountable in ways beyond your understanding—the Captain, Jesus.
As you step into 2024, don’t plan to run on your own zeal, my brother will remind me of this quote often and say it this way, ’Hope is not a strategy’. Storms may arise, challenges greater than your dreams and motivation may surface. You need a will greater than yours, someone you hold in high regard who can keep you accountable. Let Jesus be your Captain.
In conclusion, always remember, change is a gradual process, and forming new habits takes time. Challenges are inevitable, but the crucial aspect is to keep progressing.
To move forward, quite literally, you need to lift your leg and take that step—just start. Consistent effort, no matter how small, leads to progress.
If your desire is to endure and stand firm not only through the end of this year but also through the entirety of this decade and beyond, I sincerely hope that this blog post serves as the necessary push for you. My intention is not merely to inspire you to start but to encourage you to keep going and, more importantly, to finish your race, echoing the sentiments expressed by Paul (2 Timothy 4:7) in the Bible. May this be the catalyst for your enduring journey ahead.
Yours,
Sharon Paulina Boye
January 4, 2024
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