Finishing Grace

Before we get into the full swing of the Christmas holiday, I thought I’d write one for the road lol. The inspiration for this post came when I was in the final stretch of my project, and I was reviewing all I had written. During one of these reviews, I remembered that I had listened to a message by Joel Osteen titled ‘Finishing Grace’ and also recalled Ecc. 7:8 which says that the end of a thing is better than its beginning. I daresay that it is easier to start something, but finishing it? That is a whole separate business. 

For many of us, in 2022, we started pursuing dreams or goals we had written down as part of our resolutions. But somewhere along the way, it got difficult, we experienced disappointments, and eventually gave up. Back in 2020, I had a goal to undertake an MBA programme. As with every goal, there were twists and turns on the road. I remember sitting in my car on a hot afternoon and getting a scholarship email. It was such an exciting moment, but one I couldn’t see to the end due to insufficient funds. All efforts to secure funding proved abortive and eventually I had to defer my January admission to September 2021.

One thing you get taught in life is to not put all your eggs in one basket. So, I decided to spread my net with the hopes of securing one that would be affordable. In 2021, I thought I had finally secured a place in another program, but I also had to once again defer my admission. A few Sundays after, I heard a message in church that prompted me to pick up the broken dreams and try again (unashamed plug for the article I wrote then- Do it afraid!). Phil. 1:6 reminds us that God will finish the work He started. Fast forward to December 2022, and the same guy who nearly gave up on his goal has finally completed it. Glory to God!

In Ps. 46:1 (NKJV) the bible tells us that God is a “very present help in trouble”. The road to fulfilling your dream will not be a smooth one, Jesus already told us this in John 16:33. But you know what, not only did Jesus overcome the world, but the bible also further reassures us that His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). It was this grace that enabled me to finish a journey I started all the way back in July 2020 in December 2022. My funding issues didn’t suddenly disappear, but I had faith in God and whenever I was down, I asked Him for grace.

God is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). Whatever it is that you have started, the same God that helped you start will help you finish. You may just be at the point of abandoning it, I’m here to tell you that He has grace for you to finish. It may seem impossible but until you pick it up and run the race, you will never finish. Like Joel Osteen said in his message, “will you start, or will you finish?” God never starts what He can’t finish. 2022 is about to end but it is not too late to get back up and run the race. My charge to you is to stay in faith and run the race, God did not bring you this far to abandon you. Like Paul, may we be able to say that we ran the race, kept the faith, and finished the course with joy (2 Tim.4:7, Acts 20:24). I wish you a flourishing finish to 2022!

 

P.S. If you can, take time out to listen to Joel Osteen’s message, Finishing Grace

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