TODAY IS…

the perfect day to stick with it.

“Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.’”  John 19:30 NASB

What, exactly, was it that was finished?

Only the most important task ever completed by any person on earth. Jesus had completed the work that God sent Him here to complete. He never faltered in His performance of His assigned duties, and He did not stop until His work was done.

As we read about the life of Jesus, we can get a sense that there were times, certainly, when He was frustrated with humanity.

At one point, “Jesus said, ‘You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?’” (Luke 9:41a NLT).

Frustrated? Yes, it is safe to say there were many occasions like that one. But did He ever stop? Did He ever give up?

With His death, Jesus Christ taught the world many lessons. One of those is to finish what we start. If we are doing what the Bible has taught us and are asking for God’s guidance and blessing before we start something, then that should make it easier. That will not guarantee that there will not be moments of frustration. It does not mean there will be no urge to just give up.

But we need to work right on through those moments.

Finishing what we start builds character and sets a good example for our children. It also helps to prepare them for their lives as adults. As good parents, we should desire to set a good example. Whether they sign up for sports or band or the chess club, they may discover they don’t like it, but they need to be taught to finish what they begin. Perhaps they will not have to take it next semester or next year, but they cannot be allowed to begin a pattern of leaving tasks unfinished.

No matter what we do, whether it be a chore around the house, a project for work, or something we are doing to serve God, we need to give it our best, and see it through to its conclusion or completion. Do not let anyone or anything interfere with our objective.

We don’t want to hear Paul say, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7 NIV).

Our goal should always be the satisfaction of knowing that we completed our task and gave it our best. Even in a race where only one person can win, everyone else can still finish it. What would it be like if everyone else just stopped when the first person crossed the finish line? While our tasks may not have the worldwide importance of the one Christ completed, our attitude should always be like the one Paul displayed in his second letter to Timothy.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 NASB).

*******

Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson