Finish Strong

This week it seems like summer is already here! With temperatures in the 80’s and the sun blazing it seems like we should be on summer break already! Yet we are not quite there yet. Just a few more weeks and school will be out for the summer.

It gets tough to sit in the classroom, or office, knowing that the weather is perfect outside. “I could be…” statements flood our minds and the daydreams come easily. It’s hard to pay attention and listen to the teacher or our boss. Yet these moments provide an opportunity to gain a bigger perspective.

In life we are always looking for the easy out, the quick fix, the comfortable solution. However, these answers are often steeped in selfishness and laziness. Learning to buckle down and do what you need to do to finish strong can be very tough.

We need to begin each day with the end in mind, that today isn’t just about today but about so much more. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us that everything we do should be done for the glory of God, not the glory of self! When we try to buckle down and finish strong to make ourselves look good, we still miss the point. But when we realize each day that we have an opportunity to make God look good to the world by doing what we are supposed to be doing, then it gives us a reason to stand strong.

Matthew encourages us in his Gospel, to let our light shine by doing good so that people will look to our God because of us (Matthew 5:16). Laziness is never a compelling reason to follow God. Pride is never alluring. Selfishness is boring and repulsive. These qualities should be fought against continually.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3 to “press on toward the goal,” to finish strong! His motivation was “The Prize” of the upward call we have in Christ Jesus. The prize is Jesus! When we fix our eyes on Jesus we will begin to see that perseverance comes more naturally.

Paul knew he hadn’t obtained perfection in this, but he was willing to fight to finish strong. We too have to fight everyday to do what is right, what is pleasing to God. We have to forget out past accomplishments and look to do more each day. Look back to see God’s faithfulness, but step out daily in faith that He is guiding you.

You might be thinking, “it’s just school, no big deal!” But that isn’t true. You are developing an attitude and approach to life that will be a pattern for you in the future. Jesus says if we learn to be faithful in the little things we will be faithful in the big things. Everything you do is to be done for God’s glory! I hope and pray that you learn to finish strong!