Finish What You Start

 Hello,  

We are almost at the end of another week and I'm thankful for the days of sunshine we've seen in our area lately.  I'm sharing something else our parents taught us.  

In my opinion, Mom and Dad were great parents.  They both wanted us to grow up to be responsible citizens.  We were to be respectful and courteous at all times.

 They taught us was to finish what we start – that included cleaning our rooms, doing school work or participating in extracurricular activities.  I remember them saying if we tried a sport or activity we didn’t like, we still had to finish out that season.  We made a commitment to the coach and our team.   They depended on us to be there.   

Learning to finish what we start is good training for life in general.  We learn about commitment, responsibility, and dependability.  These traits help us become good employees and good friends.  The same characteristics are necessary in our spiritual lives.

Our fellow Christians need to know they can depend on us.  I remember one lady arrived at our ladies’ devotional a little earlier than some of the others.  Her car was in the shop, so her husband dropped her off.  She told him not to worry about picking her up because a certain lady would bring her home. 

The unusual thing about this was the one who needed a ride had not even spoken to the one who would be giving the ride.  It wasn’t an assumption as some might think.  It was the confidence she had in the other lady’s dependability.  

The Savior needs workers in His kingdom, so He needs to know He can count on us.  This is not an unrealistic expectation.  After all, Christ finished what He started.  If we commit to Him, we need to be willing to do the same.

Two scriptures come to mind.  Romans 12:1 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

The phrase “living sacrifice” indicates a continual offering of our bodies to the service of God.   It is quite reasonable for us to serve God considering all He has done for us – including the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. 

The second scripture is 2 Timothy 4:7.  Paul is in prison and knows he is nearing the end of his life.    He tells Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Oh what glory awaits us, if we finish what we start!

Christ above all things - Robin