Finisher

Have you ever struggled with finishing a task? Maybe it was something as small as cleaning out a junk drawer in the kitchen – it didn’t have to be done, but you knew you’d be a tiny bit happier if it were. Or, perhaps it was something as meaningful as writing a book or a business plan that could change many lives, including your own, for the better. You could taste the achievement but were unable to find the motivation to go all in and pursue it. Whatever the task was, what stopped you? Can you recall the conversation you had with yourself about why you couldn’t finish? Was the conversation about a lack of resources? Did you convince yourself that “later” would be the more appropriate moment to get it done? Had you taken inventory on what you believed your ability to be, versus what was needed to be successful at what you wanted to do, and concluded you didn’t have what it would take to see it through?

And how long did the conversation last? Was it a one-time thing before you decided to get it done? Did you go back and forth with yourself a few times before you made up your mind to accomplish it? Or is the conversation still ongoing? Has it been 1 year, 2, maybe longer with the task ever in mind but never at hand?

Truth be told, most people (dare I say all) have a hard time completing a task at some time or another. Although we celebrate successes every day where what we think and what we say equal what we do, we also struggle daily with the things on our to-do-lists that remain undone. So, what’s the answer?

Well, let me be transparent for a moment and share something with you. I’ve begun a lot of "undone" things in my life. For over 12 years, I’ve been writing and rewriting (and rewriting again) a series of books. I also started this blog a few years ago, and building it up has been a slow work in progress. Neither of these things do I have the self-confidence to see through to the end on my own – not one. Just the other day, I sat down to work on these things that I want to see finished. No sooner than when I sat down to write and powered up my laptop did my familiar fight begin. You will not be able to do this. You have no clue what you’re getting yourself into. You don’t have what it takes to handle this life you’re pursuing. Give up. How long have you been trying to finish this? Quit. You know quitting. So, quit now. That’s your destiny as a writer - quitting. The voice was so discouraging.

As I sat there, unable to bring myself to even read over the words in front of me, I began to talk to God. “Lord, I believe You created me to do this. I don’t want to be excused from doing what You created me to do. I want to be strengthened to do it. Help me see this through. I don’t want to be a quitter. Please, help me finish!” As that final word was leaving my lips, I began to hear another familiar voice, different from the first.  It was so uplifting, empowering, and kind. You can do it. I gave you an example to follow. I finished My work, and it is finished. I grabbed my Bible and opened to the scripture of Jesus’ words that I know so well: It is finished. As I laid eyes upon these three words, my mind filled with the reality of my current state. My God is a finisher. He is in me, and I am in Him, so I am a finisher, too!

See, if you’re anything like me, our saving grace is knowing (and believing) what God says about us. Every day, the ups and downs of life attempt to define who we are, what we’re worth, and what we can accomplish. It’s only the stability and truth in God’s word that gives us sure footing as we walk our paths toward our destinies. When we feel inadequate, we can know we have sufficient grace because God says it. When we feel unworthy, we can know we have great value because God says so. When we feel useless, we can know we have purpose because God says so. We can know when we mess up along the way, we are forgiven. We can know that we might not reach everyone, but we’ll reach someone by doing what God tells us to do. How can we know these things? Because God says so. He made us, so He would know. When in doubt, fear, or downright denial of what we’re made of, we can go to our Creator and receive the reassurance that we are able to do all He destined us to do.

What does that mean? That means that right now, whatever has held you back from being a finisher does not matter. Perhaps you admit it was your own procrastination or defiance. Maybe some other person or uncontrollable circumstance hindered your way. Perhaps discouragement or fear of the unknown paralyzed you from doing the thing you believe with all your heart you were meant to do. No matter the reason, the fact is you're still here. If you still have it in your heart and mind to do the things you believe you were created to do, if you still feel the tug in your heart or the burden on your shoulders, you can begin to move forward toward completing the task. Look inside yourself. Is the burning passion you once had nearly burned out, yet still there’s a tiny spark waiting to be ignited? Then look to Jesus, the Finisher. Ask for His help and guidance, take a step – even a small one, and trust that He is leading the way. He knows where He's taking you, and He knows how to handle what lies ahead on your journey because He made the way. He’s left nothing undone. All His works are complete. He is your example and the One you can follow to the end.

John 19:30, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Samuel 22:31-33, Numbers 23:19, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:13, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:15:16, Jeremiah 1:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Psalm 139:14, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:13-16, 1 John 1:9, John 15:5-8, Philippians 4:13, 2 Timothy 4:7-8

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