What’s your WHY? Every leader has a ’why’, something that drives them, something that motivates them, something that moves them. I have run 4 marathons in my life and each time I hit a wall where I was tempted to give up and walk off of the course. A marathon is 26.2 miles if run perfectly along the tangent but often it is longer because of making wider turns or running around people. During my first marathon, I hit the wall at mile 20 and didn’t know if I could go on as my legs cramped terribly. I realized I did not train adequately for the speed I was running at that distance but I resolved deep inside of me I would not quit and I would finish.
Those next 6.2 miles were painful, miserable, and dare I say comical (I can elaborate if you ever want to hear about it more). You see, I had a ‘why’ behind my first marathon. Yes, it was the pride of finishing and getting that Runner of Steel medal but it was more about running on behalf of Joshua House. I was representing the organization and vision of Joshua House and that kept me going as each mile I dedicated to something or someone within this amazing organization. My ‘why’ was the young man who decided not to commit suicide but is now a dad, a family man, and business owner. My ‘why’ was the young girl that was forgotten about and never given a chance who later traveled to Guatemala and Belize to minister to kids in the Ghettos and orphanages and now has a family and is a supervisor in her place of work. My why was for my kids to see that with hard work and determination you can accomplish some crazy exciting feats.
Your ‘why’ will change at times in your life and that is ok. Vision is always developing and adjusting but what should never change is your values. When you walk with God, it is an amazing journey and He has put a ‘why’ deep inside of you. Today I pray that you step back to look and listen to what that ‘why’ is so that it can and will drive you to pursue the very things that God has created you to fulfill. You were made on purpose for a purpose and your ‘why’ is what helps you push through those dark times because it is what helps you focus on keeping the main thing, the main thing.
Keep Focusing on Him,
Jim Kilmartin, Founder