I have always wanted to finish well. As I typed that last sentence – again – I realized that to finish this article well or otherwise, I have to start it over. I wrote this article yesterday. We had cancelled church services due to inclement weather and thought I would use my time wisely. This morning my husband had to take our computer into town, requiring him to shut it down. Well, guess who hadn’t saved her Sister2Sister? So here we go – Finishing Well, Take 2.
Finishing something requires perseverance. Obstacles are bound to come up. When I was junior age, I was in Girl’s Auxiliary. We had different steps to take to finally get to the top level – Queen with a Cape. All along the way, thanks to good leaders, I completed all the requirements for each step. I finally got to the category of queen along with some of my peers. Our church celebrated our accomplishments with a ceremony where we were crowned! It was great – the first time I ever wore panty hose. A queen could not appear in bobby socks with her semi-formal dress. The next step was queen with a scepter – made it, celebrated it. (Panty hose included.) The final step was queen with a cape. I am so sorry to report that I never finished that one. I can’t remember now why I didn’t take that final step, but I wish I had.
I like to finish what I start; otherwise, it hangs over my head. Many times the hard part is getting started, but even that is not as hard as seeing a project all the way through. We really should pray about everything we spend our time on. Is this something God wants me to do? If He wants you to start something, chances are He wants you to finish it.
Now if we are talking about crocheting an afghan, finishing it is not going to change eternity. It is not going to change someone’s life. It is, however, character-changing for the one crocheting. Unfinished projects can point out a character flaw. If it was important enough to choose the colors and pattern and buy the yarn and hook, then it is important to finish. Who were you making it for? Did they know you were making it for them? What message are you sending when you don’t finish it?
Serving the Lord is far more important than a craft project. Have you taken a Sunday School class? Did you pray about it? Are you preparing as you should? Do you pray for the children or adults in your class? Are you thinking about quitting?
Why do we quit? We get tired physically, mentally, and emotionally. As we get older, stress is harder to deal with. Sometimes we just get lazy. We must fight hard against that one. We often hear, “I’m going to take a break. I’ve been doing this a long time and need a break.” That’s understandable. There is no rule that says that once you commit to a job you have to do it for the rest of your life. However, one should serve the Lord all of his life after salvation. Too many times, when a person says he is taking a break, what he really means is that he is quitting.
I was inspired to write this Sister2Sister for myself. I have always been a finisher (with the exception of Queen with a Cape). I have always assumed I would finish well for the Lord, never imagining any other scenario. But as I get older and body parts are wearing out, I am finding I have to push much harder to keep up with my commitments.
For over 25 years, I was the game director for children’s clubs. It was always a challenge--especially after working all day, meeting the needs of my family, as well as other responsibilities. Then there came a time when it was more of a physical challenge. I was in my 60’s still doing game time. Mercy, you have to bend over and stuff. When I was younger, I would demonstrate the games for the children, but that turned into pointing and grunting. Maybe it was time for a change.
But don’t quit! Just change what you do. I am more useful as a teacher now. To be perfectly honest, I don’t always want to prepare another lesson, go to the church, and try to keep the children interested in the story when all they want to do is wiggle and giggle. But I am determined! I want to be able to say with the apostle Paul, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7) When I get to heaven, I don’t want the Lord to say to me, “Pretty well done, you quit right there toward the end, but the rest was good.” I want to be called a good and faithful servant.
Have you ever had a Christian leader you looked up to? You just knew he would always be faithful to the Lord and His will. When that person quits, it takes the air out of our sails. We are disappointed and confused. We don’t want to be that person. Everyone should keep their eyes on the Lord, but people are watching us. We don’t serve the Lord for our own glory, but for the cause of Christ and His glory.
Life is not easy. Serving the Lord is not for sissies, but it is worth the effort. Jesus never quit; He stayed on the cross until it was finished. He is still, after all these years, making intercession for the saints. I want Jesus to look at me and say, “She is still being faithful,” until the day I see Him face to face. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. (2 Samuel 22:31) You can do it! Finish well!