Finish

This is a photo I took the other day to document the ridiculous amount of OPEN cereal boxes in my pantry. Somehow, my rule of 5 open boxes stretched to 10! The annoying fact is most of these are 3/4 empty, with only 1-2 more servings remaining. Someone simply got bored with it and moved on to something better. To prove this exact point, I stuck a brand new, unopened box in the middle. When my kids came for breakfast, even without examining the boxes too closely, they all picked the brand new kind to eat! Ugh!!!!

Unfortunately, our culture provides too many options and choices for us. Without realizing it, we have become overstimulated and easily distracted in everything we do. I especially remember this after returning from my 5 month mission term years ago. The first time I went to the grocery store, my eyes hurt with all the choices and my head hurt with all the decisions.

Motherhood has also been a game-changer; it's a job where multi-tasking is a necessity! There are days when I may be menu planning, 

then I'm called to help a child get their shoes on, 

then I see the laundry is done washing, so I put it in the dryer and begin folding the dry pile, 

then my phone rings and I have to take care of something on the computer, 

then I see a few e-mails that need addressed, 

then I remember the dog is out, so I need to check to make sure she is still in the yard, and then I suddenly remember...I never finished my first task and have since started seven more!

It's hard to focus on one task and finish what we start. What is true in the physical realm is also true in the spiritual.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 says, " I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." No runner is going to win the race if they are distracted and taking bunny trails. Instead they are focused and their eye is on the prize of crossing that finish line!

Let's live our lives 

with our eyes focused on the eternal,

deeply rooted in God's Word,

Prayerfully looking to Jesus in every circumstance,

Running in faith.

Galatians 6:9 says, " Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

I urge you to resist becoming bored with the spiritual challenges you may be facing today. Philippians 1:6 "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." You are a work in progress and God wants to use your shortcomings and failures for His glory. 

Remember "The thief comes only to steal, kill, destroy (and distract!) I have come that you may have life to the fullest!" Choose to live the abundant life that Jesus offers you today. Stay focused on Him. Let Him finish the good work that He has begun in you! Strive to finish strong!