Casandra Martin

I once heard someone say, “Starting is easy; finishing well is hard.” I am not sure that starting is always easy. In fact, it is essential because you can’t finish what you don’t begin. But starting is easier than finishing. It is easy to get excited about a new idea, new project, new relationship, or new desire. We dive in, make plans, dream big dreams, and set sail on a sea of enthusiasm and high expectations.

Then we hit a bump in the road. The going gets tough, our schedules get busy, or the task is more daunting than we originally imagined. People complain, resources get stretched, and the finish line looks farther away than it did when we started. So we give up, quit, or set it to the side to be tackled later.

Sometimes our forward movement gets stuck in “good enough” mode. We have done well, stuck with it, and are close enough to the end to see movement and celebrate the journey. So we slow down, becoming satisfied with where we are rather than pushing toward the finish line.

In the end, it doesn’t matter too much if the guest room doesn’t get painted or you don’t finish the novel you started on vacation. However, when it comes to looking like Jesus, finishing well is everything. Paul put it this way – “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14

My Jesus Resolution today is to set my heart on finishing well. I am going to commit to crossing the finish line. I want the full image of Jesus to take shape in my life. Even if I have given up, slowed down, or gotten distracted, I want to renew my desire to finish well in Him. I am going to pick up my Bible and read today. I am going to spend time in prayer and praise. I am going to call a friend and share something God has been doing in my life. I am going to open my heart to the fullness of the transformation He wants to work in me. I am going to remember that God is holding on to me. Finishing well means always holding on to Him.