Finishing Strong

So…how are those resolutions? Do you remember the one you made in January? 

Most of us are great starters, filled with emotion and passion for change. Far fewer are great finishers. I made a resolution to learn a new skill. The older you get the deeper the ruts. If I went way outside my comfort zone, my reasoning went, I would force myself out of these ruts and stretch and grow and it would be really cool. I listed several options…learning improv, karate, or how to play an instrument. I landed on the last and further decided that instrument would be a violin. I researched what I needed to buy and the best way to learn. After a few weeks, the emotion died off and nothing happened. 

Until July.

At our family’s Independence Day cook-out I discovered my nephew had a nice violin he never used. He offered to give it to me. For free. With my passion reignited I found a video that would teach me how to play and so the lessons began.

Until a string broke.

Now I had to figure out how and where to get new strings and how to put them on the violin. Sheesh. I haven’t touched it since.

I’m not the world’s best finisher, but I know the one who is. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul tells his readers that He who began a good work in you will finish it.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” – Philippians 1:6

We serve a God who ALWAYS finishes what He starts…and that includes the grand work of making you and me more like Jesus.