What’s that in your hand?

I’ve heard it said that it’s critical how you start a thing.

That you should start your project so that it matches the vision from jump.

I understand the logic behind it; you want to aim high. But I know of no house that’s instantaneously built. ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover does an incredible job of getting a whole house up in seven days. Still a foundation has to poured, the house has to be framed, then wired, the roofers have to do their job.

But even if I start the project pretty much on target, I’ve learned enough over the years to know that things evolve and change is constant.

You grow and acquire more skills and apply those new skills to your project.

So petrified of failure are some that they won’t even attempt to start because they don’t have all the tools, resources or answers they think they need. I’m not telling you to not count up the cost before you build…far from the contrary. But don’t let what you see as lack stop you either. You may not have the best computer, but you do have one and that’s enough to type out your manuscript, write your play, conduct research for your business plan or check out what the competition is doing.

You have something and that something is good to launch from.

Six years ago, I posted my first blog. I know this because I transferred six years worth of content from Blogger to WordPress today. When I first started, my blog looked nothing like this new site. But I know I was led by Holy Spirit to start it and it’s evolved into what you see today. Not too bad if I do say so myself! Was I a blogging expert six years ago? Did I understand HTML code, Google analytics, and php files? Let’s just say I knew enough to be dangerous. I spent more than a few late nights figuring things out but I did figure it out. Thank God for YouTube! My blog didn’t start at this level, but it grew into it. I grew.

What have you talked yourself out of because you said you didn’t have the best of this or that to begin the work? I’ll ask you like God asked Moses…what’s in your hand? I’ll ask you like Jesus asked the disciples, how many fish and loaves do you have?

Begin the work. And it’s OK if the end result looks completely different from the work in the early stages. Just remember houses aren’t built overnight. But you do have to start.

Again I ask, what’s in your hand?