Aimlessly running?

Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Most of us like the 'finishing' better than the 'starting' part. Why? It means we have reached an end and if the starting was hard, the finishing could be a reward of sorts. We view the finish line as somewhat of a relief, while the starting line can be filled with all manner of anxious thought, fears about what isn't known, and hard steps. We might not be ready for the 'starting line' today, but when we 'begin' something with God, we are sure to appreciate the reward at the 'finish line'.

The parts in between the start and the finish are what require us to have patience. Maybe that is why it makes the start so hard for us at times. We don't want the 'middle part' of the journey as much as we want the 'finishing part'. The stuff that happens in the middle part of the journey is what makes the journey worthwhile, though. It isn't just the finish line - because all the stuff we learn along the way is found in the middle part - the finish line just marks the 'reward' of the journey.

Some have said reaching the finish line is good, but it is what we do AFTER we finish that matters more than anything. I would like to challenge that a bit because it is what we do IN the race that matters. The steps we take 'within' the race determine our finish - either with grace and well-being or with unfulfilled dreams and purposes. Steps taken in obedience 'within' the race will not be easy, nor will they be overwhelmingly clear at times. Yet, those steps of obedience will help us finish well.

We aren't always cut out for the race ahead of us, but when we step up to the starting line, we had better be ready for the entirety of the race. A runner prepares for the race. What we do today in terms of our quiet time with Jesus, time in his Word, and moments of contemplating his purposes for our lives can be viewed as our 'preparation time' for the race he calls us to run. Without this all-important preparation, we run without purpose, and aimless running is not a race! Just sayin!

Okay, uncle!

Are you one of those individuals with unfinished projects tucked away here and there throughout your house? Maybe something about your house is unfinished and you have been just 'living with it' for a while because you lack the resources or energy to get it finished. We may even have things in our lives that we'd like to see changed, but the completion of that change just seems to be stalled. God, high above, sees far below - right into those areas of our lives that are 'started', but not quite 'finished' yet! We may not "see" him, but he sees us! If nothing else, the fact that God even notices humankind should bring us to our knees! Be quite clear on this - "no matter the distance, he knows everything about us". Nothing escapes his notice - nothing is overlooked for his intervention. Too many times we come to the conclusion that we are in the thick of things all alone - no one noticing the mess we are in. Just the opposite is true - God never misses a beat!

When they hear what you have to say, God, all earth's kings will say "Thank you." They'll sing of what you've done: "How great the glory of God!" And here's why: God, high above, sees far below; no matter the distance, he knows everything about us. When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, with your other hand save me. Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal—don't quit on me now. (Psalm 138:4-8)

Our daily plea needs to be that God will finish what he began in our life. These are words that literally tug at the heart-strings of God's infinitely large heart! All of heaven knows that we are not very good at finishing what WE start! We make starts and stops like jackrabbits on a hot day! There is very little consistency in our walk, but God sees it all - both the starts and the stops - the forward movement and the perpetual stalls. Both attract his attention. When we cry out for him to finish what HE started, forgetting what it is the WE started, his hands are quick to go into action on our behalf and this can be the action that moves us into action, as well.

Why does God let us start things on our own when he knows they will end in failure? I imagine it is so we will learn just how insufficient our self-will, self-dependence, and self-determination are compared to the task at hand. Once we fail, we consider the error of OUR ways and are often more open to considering the blessing of GOD's ways to 'get er done'. God never asked for us to be robots - under his control and just going through the motions of serving him. He wants us to come to the conclusion that his ways are better than our own - so he allows us to experience the results of our own actions. He wants us to lean into him and lean upon him - not out of obligation, but out of love.

The end result is usually that we end up calling out like David, "Finish what you started God! I got it all messed up when I tried it on my own!" I honestly believe that God unleashes all of heaven's resources at those very words - uttered or screamed - it makes no difference as long as they come from a genuine heart! He never misses a step we take - all the while just waiting to hear that we need him to finish what he began and what we cannot finish on our own! Just sayin!