Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 10, 2015
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
I don’t always finish tasks or projects. I get distracted and am lured away by other intriguing opportunities. I get bored, so I lose energy and motivation. My temperament is good at the start, but I don’t always finish. Several months ago I began to read and study Dante’s Divine Comedy. It was obvious in the beginning that many of Dante’s contemporaries needed defining and his use of Virgil’s Aeneid required my further research. I almost gave up before I discovered The Great Courses lectures on the Divine Comedy. It provided a context for my study. Still, completion is hard.
Jesus was conscious of His completion on the cross when He exclaimed, “It is finished.” Phase one was complete: 1) His revelation of God and 2) His redemption of mankind. Jesus finished well, only to launch the work of the Holy Spirit post resurrection. The completion of His journey to earth brought heaven to lost souls. He was complete in His obedience, His forgiveness, and His love. He was complete in His healing, His teaching, and His mentoring. He perfected completion.
“But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed” (Luke 12:50).
What task, project or person needs your ongoing engagement until it is finished? Complete the task now and save time addressing an incomplete task later. For example, an annual schedule for a physical exam and dental care saves time and money in the long run. Moreover, it’s better to train children or team members early on—than to hope they grasp what needs to be done by observation alone. Comprehensive teaching and training provides future solutions. Lovingly hold people accountable to complete their jobs so they grow into effective leaders.
Above all, what is Christ calling us to complete that continues beyond our lifetime? A life well lived? A book, career, degree, new business or ministry? Perhaps a volunteer role, giving commitment, or a marriage? Is His call to painting, a hobby, a trip, or more seriously a relational restoration, financial restitution, or spiritual transformation? Is it to a healthy diet and exercise or raising children to be responsible adults? We complete Christ’s call on our life so when we draw to the end of our life, we have no major regrets. We are fulfilled knowing we fulfilled God’s will. Thus, by God’s grace, we keep top of mind a consciousness of completion. Like Jesus, we can say, “It is finished.”
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work” (Genesis 2:2).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the courage to complete what You’ve called me to do.
Related Readings: Genesis 49:33; Ruth 2:23; John 4:34; Acts 12:25; Hebrews 4:3
Post/Tweet this today: Complete the task now and save time addressing an incomplete task later. #completethework #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 7 minute video- Chris Tomlin: God’s Great Dance Floor
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