"Toward His purpose I labor, struggling according to His power that powerfully works in me." (Colossians 1:29)
Finish Strong, Finish Well
"I have one desire now - to live recklessly for the Lord, putting all my strength and energy into it." Elizabeth Elliot
A few years ago, while seeking what God had next for me, I heard the command to finish strong, finish well.
Interestingly He didn't tell me "What to do with my life."
He told me, "How to live my life."
This led me to seek the history of those who finished well and those who didn't.
Many in the Old and New Testaments didn't finish well.
It is such a tragedy to be entrusted with mined treasure only to have it spill out on the road heading home, arriving with nothing!
So, what did those who finished strong and well have or do differently?
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11
1) They knew they were His beloved children.
God demonstrated His love for them while they were enemies; the blood of the Lamb removed their sins allowing adoption as His children.
2) They removed all other choices.
They knew Jesus had the only true words of life, and to those, they testified.
3) They did not love their lives unto death.
They reckoned themselves dead and alive to Christ, living by the life of another.
We live by the life of another, Jesus Christ.
How is God glorifying Himself through your life?
Describe what finishing well means to you.
Lord, teach us to number our days in light of Your eternal life that lives within us. May we wake each day sober to the opportunities to love others as You have loved us. Amen