Finishing well

I have learned something about myself.

I am better at starting than finishing.

Lots of ideas generate in my head. I get excited about them, passionate even. I plan and usually begin to execute.

Then I fade. I get discouraged or uninterested or distracted. Or just plain lazy.

And too many times I abandon the project/goal/new idea.

Sometimes, though, I press on. Slogging away to be a finisher and not a quitter. Often I experience renewed enthusiasm but much of the time, I am just glad when I have completed the task.

As I pondered this insight into my psyche ( LOL), i thought about how much Scripture talks about finishing well. Seems like way more emphasis is placed on finishing instead of exciting beginnings. There are plenty more verses than these below but here are some that caught my attention:

Acts 20:24

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

.1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2 John 1:8

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

God tells us that HE is faithful to finish what He starts! Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

And my current favorite: Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

So what are we to do with all this? Maybe it’s just me but if you need some focus, too, here is where I am landing -

Finishing matters. It’s a matter of faithfulness and it matters. Starting is great (so very thankful for the visionaries and the dreamers) but finishing is what ultimately matters. Maybe for lots of reasons but one of the main ones has to be because it models the faithfulness of God. He finishes what He starts. He is faithful to do all He has promised. He doesn’t just get excited and have a great idea - HE FINISHES.

So I need to, too.

Where is the key to finishing? First, acknowledging that it is important. That it matters. Next, looking to HIS faithfulness and desiring to model it. Such a great reminder to set before my eyes - HIS faithfulness! So encouraging, so motivating, so very helpful.

Last key I see is found in that passage in Ecclesiastes. The end is better than the beginning. Better to be patient than proud. Patient. Not proud. What is that telling me? That finishing requires humility. Perseverance is not something that will come naturally. Finishing well will not be a result of my human effort; God is not looking for me to grit my teeth to get through. Rather, what He requires is for me to acknowledge not only the importance of finishing well but especially my inability to do so in my flesh. I NEED HIM. He seems to be saying in this verse that He wants us to look to Him, to wait for Him, to depend on Him. And His grace will see us through….HE will complete what He has begun!

Y'all come on in!

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling I Peter 4:9


This Scriptural command is an easy one to obey.


At least for us Southerners, right?


Doesn't this evoke images of a tastefully decorated home, an exquisite menu, and a beautifully dressed woman with manicured nails?


In a word - NO.


I don't think that's what Scripture means. At all.



When Scripture exhorts us to "practice hospitality" (Romans 12:13) what does it mean? If it doesn't mean knocking yourself out to present a perfect picture, what, then, is it?


Just look at the word - "hospitality". It's closely related to the words "hospital", "hotel", as well as "hostel". What is the connection between these? Simply put, I think it's the idea of receiving strangers/outsiders and caring for them in such a way that they are changed from strangers into friends. The emphasis is relationship.


This is very different from entertaining, where the focus can often be on eliciting compliments for the host.....not on meeting the needs of the strangers.


Hospitality means making others feel like they "belong", like they are no longer an outsider, an alien. It has little to do with the table decorations and instead everything to do with being cared for.


And hospitality doesn't need a showcase of a home to transpire. In fact, it doesn't even need a home at all. It can be at the ball field, where the family of a new kid is hoping they can fit in. It can be in an adult Sunday School class, where a new couple visits and looks for a place to sit. It can be at the crowded Chick-fil-A, where an elderly man sits alone, trying to adjust to his new status as a widower.


Hospitality can be anywhere. In fact, we are not to simply wait for an opportunity to present itself - we are actually to be on the lookout for an outlet for our hospitable spirit! The verse in Romans that tells us to "practice hospitality" literally means "pursue hospitality". We are to seek out people to encourage, to care for, to transform from being a "hostile" into a friend.


No, this isn't an easy command to obey. We tend to prefer socializing with our friends and entertaining those we enjoy (or at least those who can benefit us). If we aren't intentional about hospitality, all those strangers remain outsiders. They miss the blessings of connection and we miss the joy of the transformation. Instead of meeting needs, we are often seeking favor.


God help us. Help us to be hospitable.


Oh, and if He does lead us to create a stunning centerpiece, to prepare a gourmet tray of goodies, and to sport a stunning new haircut, may we especially heed the last part of that verse....."without grumbling."


Ouch.