If you start it....finish it.

I realize that it has been quite a while since I last posted however, I have taken on a new venture.  I am currently enrolled in the Doctoral (EdD) program at Abilene Christian University and it can be overwhelming.  I pray God allows me to complete this goal and honor Him through it. 

Prior to class beginning, I went for a short run. I aimed for two miles since I am just beginning.  I got to one mile and was winded, weak and ready to quit.  In my mind,  I could literally hear my dad saying "If you start it, finish it"  something I have heard all my life.  You can imagine the excuses but the voice that steered me was much louder than the excuses. 

Sometimes we begin something and we choose not to finish it.  Some chose to make the decision to accept Christ as their Savior and stop there.  God's Word calls us to change our life, to follow Him, to represent Him.  We make excuses and claim "it's too difficult" or too time consuming.  God doesn't have huge expectations.  He doesn't expect you to become a preacher or missionary.  He just expects you to finish the race and finish it well. 

When running I made every excuse I could think of until this thought came to mind, "What if Christ had quit?

He was born with a mission.  God had a plan for Him and it began at birth.  God was being prepared for thirty years until his ministry broke through in adulthood.  The last few years of his ministry were full of accusation, criticism,  finger pointing and questioning.  Jesus continued his ministry.  He ran the race knowing it was a race he had to finish....not for HIM but for us!

Did God have to tell Christ "If you start it, finish it?"  I don't think so.  Although Christ fell to His knees and asked for God's will, he was still willing to continue the race.   He endured the threats, flogging, criticism and ridicule and he took it all for us. 

So when you decide to follow Christ, run the race with assurance of what awaits you.  Don't veer off to the left or to the right, don't become distracted, don't give up.   If you start the race....finish 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