Live It Articles Preparations to Commitment

The New Year is here, and with it comes a time of re-commitment to the nine commitments of First Place. As I was beginning preparation for this talk to my First Place group, the Lord showed me an analogy of an unopened paint can.

How many times have you had an idea to paint a room? You go to the store and buy a can of paint, but find there are many more things you need than just that can of paint. There are plans and preparations to be made before you can even begin to paint a room. The can of paint alone will not do the job. You will need supplies, brushes, rollers, paint pans, and drop clothes.

The other thing you must plan for is time to paint the room. The drop cloths are in place and you begin to roll the first line of paint. You are so excited because it looks good. As you continue with the second and third roll, the excitement of the new painting experience begins to wear off. Your new commitment to paint this room just became a job and you have three more walls to go; it isn’t fun anymore. You have to make yourself finish the room, and you wish you had never started the task.

We have all been there and done that! We started a task with the heart to finish, and when we got into the job, it was harder than we expected and no fun at all. This can of paint is very much like our commitment to First Place. We jump in feet first, lose the first 10 or 15 pounds, follow the Live It, fill out the CR, pray, read our Bible, and we are gung ho ……then, the excitement begins to wear off. It becomes a job. Can I tell you that this is not a bad place to be, even though it doesn’t feel good, because we feel like failures.

At this point, if we will let go and let God step in, He can use where we are to develop character and integrity. I also begin to pray, “Father, give me a holy and anointed “stick-to-it-ness.” Our Father can give you the heart to finish the task. We are made in His image and the Word tells us “…He is the author and the FINISHER of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2

As you are setting your goals for the new year, ask God to give you His “stick-to-it-ness,” and a desire to finish the task at hand. With this new desire to keep your commitments, He will also give you a new love and excitement. He is faithful!

A brand new me in 2003!

Beverly Henson
Certified Personal Trainer


Beverly Henson is a conference and rally speaker for the First Place ministry. She is also a Bible teacher and certified personal trainer. Beverly joined First Place in July 1997 and has lost 147-1/2 pounds. First Place has given Beverly a powerful testimony. She is a First Place leader and Bible teacher at Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi. Beverly has a genuine love of proclaiming the word of God to His people.