Finish Strong

The New Year is a time to make resolutions. Of course these resolutions are exciting and fun to start. For this reason we put together some goals and work out how we are going to complete them. We usually start on January 1st.

I particularly like the meaning of the word resolution. It means to make a firm decision to do or not to do something. Have you ever made a firm decision to do something? Most of the time resolutions are not kept, because they were never made by making a firm decision to finish.

The very first time I went to Japan God placed a determination in my heart. Surprisingly this determination has led to starting a ministry and forming the Japan Reach team. The reason for having this determination is to share about the love of God to the Japanese people in the hope that they too can experience our Heavenly Father’s love.

My mom made a firm decision she was going to Japan with me after hearing God speak to her heart about going. She went in spite of some medical issues. Amazingly God gave her strength the entire trip.

Sometimes though it is fairly easy to start something, but quite difficult to finish.

How do we Finish Strong ?

I want to share a few things that help me to keep going and not give up.

1. Focus on the Father

Jesus gives us the perfect example of staying focused on the Father.

In John 5:19 it says, Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.

The Father is busy doing things. Jesus focused on His Father, so He would be effective.

2. Focus on Eternity

The life we live on earth is very short. When I think about eternity and spending it with Jesus it motivates me to share the good news with others.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 4:18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

3. Focus on Encouragement

One of my love languages is encouragement. If I focus on the good things that people are experiences and sharing with me it keeps me going. I do have to be careful though, because a negative comment or experience can really bother me. Allowing the positive to speak louder than the negative helps me to finish strong.

Here are some examples of some encouragement.

I know Christmas but I don’t know the day Jesus died and the day he came back alive. Thank you for telling me that. Japanese Friend

I think seeing the impact you guys are making in the lives of the people you encounter is greater proof that God can use all of us for His purposes. We don’t have to be perfect, we just have to be willing and obey. That makes me feel hopeful. 😀 Jennifer Gunderson Napier

Spending time with your family is the best thing ever happened to me!! Japanese Friend

4. Focus on One Step

We can begin to feel overwhelmed if we focus too much on everything that needs to be done. When we focused on the length of the journey our goal can seem so far away and feel impossible to achieve. How about just focusing on taking one step at a time.

5. Focus on Grace

I am not very good about doing this one. Actually I wasn’t planning on putting this down, but I believed God dropped it into my heart as I was looking over my blog to post it. We will never be perfect. There are times we mess up and feel like quitting. This is when we need to extend grace to ourselves. If you fall off the wagon get back up again and don’t beat yourself up. Jesus is not looking for us to be perfect. He desires our hearts to be turned towards His love and receive the finished work He did on the cross along with His resurrection power.

I hope this encourages you to finish strong with whatever God has planned for you to do.

One day you will hear the Father say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Blessings,

Tina