It doesn’t take nearly as much courage to start something as it does to see it to fruition. The start has it’s beginning in excitement, anticipation, expectations, and desired goals to reach. The completion has it’s ending in dedication, determination, hard work, and faithfulness. When the emotional high of the start wears off, then the reality of the effort required to reach your goal is realized. My Bible reading this morning speaks to us on staying true to our goals and being diligent in reaching them. (Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.) I started losing weight right before the first of the New Year. I lost in two weeks what it is now taking me a month to lose. I could quit because of the extra effort it is now taking to achieve the same goals, but that would only mean never reaching my anticipated target. I believe God expects us to hold to the purpose He has chosen for our lives regardless of the hard times we may have during our pursuing them. In life, I have found that if people give up on one goal because they face difficulty, they will give up on the next venture for the same reason. The hard times should strengthen our faith, not blur our vision. Don’t become known as a starter and not a finisher. Stick with your vision until you reach your goal. You and those you influence along the way will be blessed by your faithfulness. Pastor Don