Are You a Starter or a Finisher?

What happens when the newness is gone? You know what I mean – the excitement of trying something new. When you try something new, it feels fresh, exciting, alive, and it is the topic of your conversations and your thoughts. Yet, we all know what it means for the newness to wear thin. When the excitement is gone, and it becomes a push or a job.

My daughter loves to try new adventures! She has enjoyed baking, cooking, music, reading, etc. I have noticed, though, that starting is not her problem. It is finishing that is more of a challenge. Granted, she is still a child (at least in my eyes!), but I am trying to encourage her to be more than a starter. We must be finishers.

It reminds me of a Bible verse.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. – Acts 20:24

In other words, Paul said he wanted to be a finisher.

The greatest “finisher” of all is the Lord Jesus Christ. He came to redeem us to God. He came to shed His sinless blood that sinners might have forgiveness and redemption. On the cross, He cried, “It is finished.”

Have you ever started something but did not finish? A hobby? A course in school? A degree? A project around the house? Like an athelete must finish his course on the ball field, I have commitments and responsibilities in my life. I must be a finisher.

• I committed to love my wife. I must finish my course.
• I committed to raise my children for God. I must finish my course.
• I committed to pastor the Friendship Baptist Church. I must finish my course.
• I committed to reaching souls for Christ in my community. I must finish my course.
• I committed to being a blessing to the church and community. I must finish my course.

Are you a finisher?

A few simple thoughts about finishing:

1. Make time each day to read the word of God. Let the Holy Ghost encourage you.
2. Pray for God’s strength to finish your course.
3. Remember the pain of not finishing. Ask yourself what you did to contribute to your failure.
4. Spend time with older people who have a history of finishing. They will inspire you.
5. Dream much about the finish line.
6. Faith without works is dead. Roll up your sleeeves, and work hard.
7. Refuse distractions. Work for the best, even if you must sacrifice the good.
8. Bring your family along with you. Don’t leave them behind.

Start well. It matters. Finish well. It matters more.