Finish

I exchanged an email with a friend last week and on the salutation part of her every email, she has the following quote written: "It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you must complete the doing of it". 2 Corinthians 8:10-11. I read it twice, and then thought this is a good reminder for me so I am going to print this out. I did, and it sits beofe me propped up so that each morning while I sit and wait for my computer to wake up, I read it.

I am a great starter but a lousy finisher, and I have several irons in the fire that I have started but I have a hard time finishing. A new book, a devotional book for grandparents is just one of them. I work on it and then interruptions besiege me and I put it on hold, again. But today, I declare after reading this quote once again, that I will give this one particular project a deadline. Have it to the publisher by next week's end.

But as I was thinking about finishing what you begin, I though this not only relates to manmade projects but also God given responsibilities and opportunities, like relationships, witnessing, serving others etc.
There are times when I feel very inadequate with responsibilities that God has given me, like raising kids, or grandkids, or relationships with friends etc. I blunder through well meaning conversations and fall flat on any encouragement that might have been needed or solicited, and I retreat in regret. And when that happens while I am so tempted to call for further advice or wisdom, God is teaching me to call on HIM/

But the deal about calling on God, is that I have to be willing to accept his advise and act upon it. I have to be open to hear his whispers of wisdom, bury my selfish pride, dismantle my defenses, and go forth in confidence and in love. Thankfully God does not retreat when I fumble through one of his God given opportunities. I must believe, with all my heart, that he has put me on this earth for a purpose, in spite of my floundering, my tangled responses, and my flaws. And as long I pursue his will in faith and stay focused on his ways instead of mine, He will bless me with his peaceful countenance even in the midst of chaos. If by chance I get something right, it is because God has been my guide. And what I love knowing is that God is not finished with me yet. He is not finished with any of us until we take our last breath on this earth. That process is called sanctification, and it is a process, and a slow one at that. God's tiny little building blocks of maturity and dependence, one at a time. We are all works in progress and must not give up or give in to earthly bounds, when surrounded by the flames of discontent, discord or despair. God can and does use us for his purposes even when we feel like we fall so short, I just know he does, because nothing is ever wasted in God's economy.

So today if you are struggling with a God given relationship or an opportunity, don't quit just because it is hard, and there are distractions all about. Hang in there and call on God to give you the poise, the peace, the presence and the posture to do his will, and to overcome Satan's lies and obstacles that threaten failure. We will get it right some of the time and when those other times surface and what we have said seems to be a dooming evidence of failure and fall, remember that God can do al things and through Him we too can do all things through his strength and wisdom, especially when we are engaged in his God given opportunities.

I have attached more verses than usual because when I went to solicit them I was blessed by the truth and encouragement of each of them, especially the 2 Corinthians 9 verse. I mean what doesn't fit under the word ALL!!!!!

James 1:4
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work
Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Hebrews 13:21
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen..

Dear Lord, Thank you for your God given relationships and opportunities. May we learn your lessons as we work through them and help us to stay planted in your truth so that we may grow in your ways. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!