TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8
Read: Ecclesiastes 7:8-10
Listen: Ecclesiastes 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Finishing is hard. It actually could be deadly if the original readers didn’t finish well in ancient Israel. A farmer then would run out of food in the winter if they didn’t plant, nurture and harvest their fields. Finishing was important!
The beginning of things can be exciting, fun and easy. For example, a wedding is a fun and celebratory event. But the marriage that begins on the wedding day takes work and endurance. Parenting is a challenge needing perseverance and often a daily dose or two (or more) of patience. Starting a degree program or signing up for a gym is easy but it takes years of work to finish the degree or regularly clocking time at the gym to get into shape. Finishing takes patience.
If you want a good name, developing the patience to finish what you start is a great place to begin. What roles has God gifted you with? Have you been tempted to give up? Sometimes it is wise to throw in the towel or ask others to come in and help. Wise people learn to discern when this is. However, part of having a good name means finishing faithfully the tasks and roles God has given you. Watch this video clip as Pastor Aaron Buer challenges us to faithfully finish the roles God gives us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Spend a few minutes and ask yourself what you need to finish. Write down the roles, projects, relationships or goals God may be calling you to finish faithfully. Then spend the rest of your time praying, asking God to give you the patience you will need to finish well. Repeat this as often as necessary over the coming weeks, months or years.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
