End: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

            End

           

            At the end

            will our thoughts, hearts

            linger at regret,

            unfinished commitments,

            hesitant to leave or

            accept full

            responsibility for both

            done and undone,

            knowing we sought

            only Spirit’s guidance

            keeping our hearts steady

            even in failure.

Reflection: Finish: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

           

1.     What memory do you cherish from a loved one that is gone? Why?

2.     What character trait do you hope your loved ones will remember of you? Why?

3.     What worries you that you might leave undone?

4.     Where do you need the Spirit’s guidance for priorities right now?

Share: How have you been strengthened in your faith in a time of failure?

Finish: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but to all who have longed for his appearing.”

How did Paul interpret his finish? He still lived for several years past the Biblical narratives of him, but the scripture is silent of this season as it is over the first ten years in the wilderness after his first encounter with Jesus.

After a long chronicle of Abraham’s faith walk there is silence re him as well after he was willing to sacrifice Isaac in trust to the Lord’s purpose.

Moses’ first call was to lead his people out of Egypt, yet scripture notes that he finished the Tabernacle and later Solomon finished the Temple. Jesus said, “It is finished,” while on the cross yet He continues to pour out His grace daily.

We all have life markers and project markers that we can point to with either a sense of accomplishment, or a sense of regret, and sometimes both together. Perhaps in our daily race to complete tasks we yearn for Paul’s confidence in a finish and wonder what that looks like for our spiritual life too. We gravitate to a desire for results.

Yet maybe the clue lies in the second sentence? “I have kept the faith.” Maybe something happened to Paul where he really ‘got’ what walking with God meant. Maybe it’s not an always active accomplishment but a heart one—a trust one—an unbreakable faith.

Not measurable by visible standards or markers or by others. But a light bulb insight into faith that overpowers any of our human weaknesses and empowers our complete trust in all circumstances.

Lord, by Your grace, please guide and direct and strengthen each of us to fulfill the call You choose with hearts of faith and trust and commitment.

Psalm of Worship: 1 John 1:4

“We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”