DESPERATION LEADS TO UNFINISHED WORK

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’  And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”—John 19:30

 

Every day, people have specific responsibilities whether they are a stay-at-home mother or father, a banker, a waitress, a student, or any other profession each has requirements of duties, responsibilities and accountability.   As a farmer, my father would often tell me that he felt that he was holding the land in trust for future generations and that he had a duty and a responsibility to preserve it for the next generation.  Many people feel that way about what they are doing; just as Jesus did.    

 

Jesus, the Son of God, was given specific responsibilities and tasks to carry out.  For example, He came to bear the sins of the world and to demonstrated God the Father as Healer, Forgiver, Deliverer, Restorer, the Everlasting Father, and as the Prince of Peace.  He said that He came not to do His own will, but the will of the Father who had sent Him.  You and I can experience whatever we need through Christ because Jesus finished the works—the tasks that the Father had given Him to do. 

 

Jesus related a parable in Matthew chapter 25 that is applicable for us today.  “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the son f Man is coming” (verses 1-13).    In this parable, we see ten people who all had the same opportunity, but only five were able to finish their task because they were prepared—they had bought sufficient oil and were wise not to interfere with God’s work.  Those who did not come prepared became desperate and were not able to finish their work. Therefore, we can understand the principle that lack of preparation leads to desperation and unfinished work. 

 

Perhaps you have been like me and have seen the operation of desperation in your life or ministry.   One of two things usually happens, distractions come to take up your time so that you are not prepare sufficiently and feel desperate so you ask others to come and help you—which puts an undo burden upon them, or you are not able to finish what you had started.  Other times, you might respond to the request of others for help because of their lack of preparation and get involved in their problems which caused you problems.  The only solution so as not to feel desperate is to prepare and be confident that you will be able to complete your work, and be wise by not interfering with God’s work in others. 

 

Because of where the Church is in God’s timing of world events, it is imperative that we learn how to be a wise person that is prepared and finish the work—the race, and that we can say like the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (1 Timothy 4:7). 

 

Ask the Lord for His wisdom as you prepare to finish your race.  Stay solidly positioned in His Kingdom which is immoveable and can never be shaken.  Keep your faith and hope in Him and your walk in the love of Jesus. 

 

Prayer—Father I ask You for Your wisdom in preparation to finish my race.  I ask you to remove all distractions and interruptions so that I will not become desperate.  Thank You Lord that I am kept in the presence of Your faith, hope and love, in Jesus Name.  Amen.