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A reflection and prayer to start the day with Iwan Russell Jones, a lay reader for the Church in Wales

Bore da, good morning!

I vividly remember starting my first proper job, after way too many years as a student. When I arrived for work on the first day my new boss congratulated me on being selected out of hundreds of applicants. But then, with impeccable timing, he added 鈥� 鈥溾�� of course, you were the compromise candidate鈥�. It was a good joke and I laughed along with him. But then鈥� was it a joke? For all I knew, it was true, and I was not the number one choice. It certainly put me on notice that I鈥檇 better get my act together and justify the faith that had been placed in me.

Starting new things 鈥� whether it鈥檚 a new job, a new challenge, a new relationship, or simply a new week 鈥� can be exciting and exhilarating. But, if you鈥檙e anything like me, it can be daunting and intimidating, too. Am I up to the task? Will I be unmasked as an imposter? Can I stay the course? Do I have what it takes?

Unfortunately, there鈥檚 no answer to these questions other than by getting started. That鈥檚 the only way of finding out. I鈥檓 encouraged by what many coaches tell their athletes - it鈥檚 not just how you start that matters, but how you finish. This is actually an image that is used by the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament, and it reminds me of my need for commitment, integrity and getting on with the tasks that have been entrusted to me:

God of new beginnings, be with us on our journeys and keep us faithful in the way we live. Help us to run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Amen.