A group of soldiers huddle together in the Tactical Operation Center taking final commands from their captain. The mission directive aimed at the target drawing them in. Everyone dialed in, feeling the adrenaline pumping, waiting for that final phrase… “Mission is a Go.”
“Mission is a Go” means it’s time to start. It means it’s clear to begin with no known obstacles in the way. It’s the start of every military mission and leaves no question for what is beginning. In this journey we are beginning in 2021 and the way we have used January to set goals and a path for ourselves, it only seems fitting that it’s time to launch our mission. We have put in the time to aim the ship, discover the target drawing us in, and take our mark on the starting line.
In listening to a spoken word by Steven Furtick called “I Will Fight,” starts by saying, “A Christian life is not a playground, it’s a battle ground.” And this got me thinking about the concept of launching our mission. You see the goals we set for ourselves over the course of 2021 shouldn’t be easy. They shouldn’t feel comfortable. In the world we live in, attempting to pursue our goals is going to come with trials. If it was easy, everyone would do it. We must look at the year ahead of us and understand that there will be unknowns, that obstacles may surface but through our preparation, we will be able to overcome those trials. We can remind ourselves that in adversity there is growth and opportunity to exceed our own expectations.
Furtick says, “I will give no place to fear or failure. I will not accept a trace of apathy in my attitude or actions. I will reject complacency and embrace the greatness that God has planted inside of me.” I can’t help but think about the SEALs who took down Bin Laden, or the soldiers who survived 13 hours under siege in Benghazi, or the horse soldiers who’s only mode of transportation left them exposed on horseback as they trekked through foreign terrain. Those men and women involved in those battles were prepared the moment “Mission is a Go” was spoken. When put to the test they didn’t hesitate or back down, but instead, charged into battle trusting the plan, pursuing the target drawing them in and prepared to fight. They made adjustments on the fly as unknown obstacles presented themselves and made sure to remain on course.
Shouldn’t we view our own life this way?
I believe it is definitely easier said than done, but that’s ok. After all, it’s hard to grow when you’re in your comfort zone. It starts with the decision we made when we chose our goal(s). That decision to set our mission directive created the plan for the year. We don’t know what every day, week, or month will bring. We don’t know the extent of the pandemic this year or how new leadership in the government may affect us. But what we do know is, where we want to end up and that is the motivation we need to continue to grow. You see, in a world of unknowns, knowing the path for us and believing our plan leaves no opportunity to question, “Is this right?” Or doubt ourselves, for the goals we have. For me, like a lot of you, this requires faith. When I trust the plan God has for me and my mission goals align with those of His plan for me, then who can stop me from succeeding? As Romans 8:31 says, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, what can stand against us?”
That is the encouragement we need. The reminder that when we follow the right path set before us we can achieve anything we set our minds to. We have put in the time to aim the ship towards the target drawing us in and take our mark on the starting line. Now in the last week of the month, with 11 more months left this year to achieve the goals we set, our mission is a go!
WORKOUT
With this being the final week of the month and launching of our mission, it’s time to put our fitness goals in action as well! This week’s workout is going to propel us into action and allow us to launch the mission for our fitness goals.
Go through each block 3x. Perform 40sec of exercise to 20sec of rest. Take a 30sec break after each block is complete.
Block 1:
1. Air Squats
2. Split Squats (L leg forward)
3. Split Squats (R leg forward)
4. Push-ups
Block 2:
1. Inch-Worms
2. Lateral Beast Crawl (tabletop position with knees off ground)
3. V-Ups
4. Crunches
Block 3:
1. Half Burpees to a Deep Squat
2. Glute Bridge (L leg raised)
3. Glute Bridge (R leg raised)
4. Kneeling Get Ups
Hammer and Anvil 