“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” 2 Corinthians 8:11
Looking back over 2023, reminded me what an arduous year it has been. It began a journey through many new starts and projects while grieving and letting go of others. It challenged and pushed me to grow in significant ways and as the year draws to a close, I see the finish line on a few areas of my life within sight. Some moments you can almost taste the finish then the next you feel the last hurdle left to completion. Finishing seems glorious, but it can be hard work! In a season of work, the finish seems like a time to celebrate, but actually crossing the finish line takes a huge push of energy at the physical and soul level. Sometimes, you can be tempted to stop early…
“This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.” Luke 14:30
Often, I think we can put an emphasis on “starting” something. Starting has its own challenges; it may have taken great courage to “start” something. On the other hand you are fresh and full of energy, hopeful. Too often it is in the middle, before we see the finish that we really need the encouragement. Wondering, “When will this tough part be over?” But the finish, so often considered a “finish line” Just something to be crossed before moving on to the next thing. I’m learning the “finish” is more than a line…
Finishing something creates a time to pause, reflect, and take in this “thing” you just labored through. It may be assembling a new piece of furniture or reading a book. What about watching a series on television that you connected with. How about training for a physical event that has now ended. The last push in labor. The last nail on a home you are building. The hit of a gavel on the court bench marking the end or start of a new thing in your life. The last breath of life in a loved one. Then there are the ones that never seem to end but have milestone moments throughout your life, like raising children. It is truly those lifelong events that keep pulling you to the next.
Thinking about “finishing” something difficult you have started can bring a smile, but actually finishing something to completion is really a beautiful thing we don’t see as often as you would expect or celebrate as richly as we should. A couple months ago, my kids finished the first piano book they were working through. One of my sons was eager to begin the next book and grabbed it from the basket. Something in me stopped him. I paused and supported his enthusiasm, but asked that we “Be still,” just a little while to celebrate what just happened before we moved on so quickly. A lot of hard work went into finishing that book and we needed to “rest.”
“On the sixth day God completed all the work that he had done, and on the seventh day God rested from all the work that he had done God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work of creation.” Genesis 2: 2-3
Even God took a day’s rest to take in the amazing work He had done in creating life on earth as we know it. And until He finishes what He started we must continue on so that in the true “Finish,” we can say:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Today, I hope you can honor the moments of “finish” in your life. I hope you can take a deep breath and take the next step on a journey closer to the finish line and not give up too early. Don’t underestimate the finish line, it is more difficult than you would think to cross it and when you do, celebrate it. One day we will cross a finish and truly rest, until then:
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Striving toward the finish with you, Julie
P.S. The featured image today I have shared before, it was of a lovely woman, Rose (in pink) who was finishing her race here on earth strong. I am on the left hand side, a new mom at the start of my “race,” now more deeply humbled and inspired by the smile on Rose’s face with my realization how tough the journey really can be. Let’s finish strong together!
Father, Today I Surrender:
My Finish
Show me the next step I should take.