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,
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!