The Power Of Early Starts

This 700 post milestone has had me thinking the past few days... what else would be different if I had been working on them as faithful as getting to this mark. It got me thinking, perhaps again, about habits and disciplines.

Fitness 2-3 times a week for the  past 23 months?
Saving $1-$5 every day for the past 700 days?
Memorizing a Scripture a day?

I caught an pieces of an interview the other day with Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife... she still has every love letter he has written her. And he still writes them!

Going back more than 700 starts to get a little depressing. As I consider this next generation of pastors that we have brought on staff even at our own church in the past two years, I can't help but think of the disciplines I wish I would have implemented in my life when I had more time, energy and focus to actually make them happen and apply them to my life,

My health would be different.
My financial outlook would be different.
My relationships probably would work better.
My approach to life might be less stressful.
Perhaps my career would  be different, if I were more critical in my education.

I don't say all this from a place of regret or frustration seeking sympathy; but from the understanding that whatever it is that we set out to accomplish, whether in life or ministry, or anything else for that matter, the sooner one starts the better.

Late starts, no matter how much you put in, rarely catch up to the place you would be if from starting earlier.

Thus, will you pray, this #associatePastorTuesday, for this next generation of pastors stepping in to various places of ministry. Pray for strength and wisdom in whatever they set out to do. May their be a focus and an energy in their lives and their approach, that would set a foundation of living a principled and disciplined live and ministry. Pray God would place people in their paths, that would help guide and encourage them along the way; providing insight and strategies that would set them on a course for success; not just on this earth, but in their effectiveness for the kingdom of God.

For even as, today is the today of salvation for those who hear the word,
May today be a day of fresh starts and new beginnings.
For yesterday cannot be changed,
Tomorrow has yet to be written
And His mercies are new this morning.
Even this very hour as you read this.
For the glory of God, we pray these things.

- PNC

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