Walking with Jesus: Practical Steps to Finish Strong and Bring Glory to God
Our highest priority should be to bring glory to God. What tangible ways can we do that as we walk with Jesus?
“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which
You have given Me to do.” John 17:4 (NKJV)
Starting something new is hard but finishing well can be even harder. I have an unfinished hooked rug stored in my closet next to photo albums that abruptly stop before my last two children were born. That initial enthusiasm wore off at some point and I moved on to the next shiny project.
I’m now in my 24th year of homeschooling and the initial shine has faded. At almost two and half decades, I’m not quite done—I have one more year until my youngest graduates from high school. I have only to look back to the changes in homeschooling (and mom jeans) to see how long I’ve been at this.
While I was nervous about how this teaching-your-kids-at-home would work, I was also excited. My initial fear of starting something new became a passion as I researched teaching philosophies and learning styles, attended conferences, and stayed up late to prep activities for the next day.
Everything was new and fun–field trips, science experiments, geography bees—and tiring in the best kind of exhilarating way.
But twenty plus years in, that starry-eyed enthusiasm that fueled my early homeschooling era more often looks like git-r-done grit as I guide my youngest to through high school.
Staying the Course When the Shiny Fades
A few years ago, I found myself praying a new prayer in my mothering: Lord, help me finish well.
Starting something new may be hard but finishing well can be even harder.
While stepping out to follow God in a call often takes a leap of faith, finishing that call well takes steadfast faith.
Maybe you’ve seen this in your own mothering, in your marriage, or in the work or ministry God has called you to do.
As we have recently observed Resurrection Sunday, we have the perfect example of One who finished well.
After three years of intense ministry, the time drew near for Jesus to return to heaven. Scripture tells us that Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51)
It’s a picture of Jesus fixing his face and focus on the work God called him to do.
It’s a picture of determination. Of steadfastness. Of feet and heart that walk in unwavering faith and great purpose.
Jesus was committed to finishing the work God gave him to do. In fact, the finish was his most important work.
As Jesus went with his apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane where he would be arrested, he spoke to his Father: “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4)
Jesus finished well. He went to the cross, died, was buried, and rose again to bring us eternal life.
Jesus didn’t get sidetracked from what God had called him to do. He didn’t let the enemy or his own weak flesh keep him from completing his call. And in finishing well, Jesus brought glory to God.
Oh, how I want to finish well. Not just my call to homeschool my children, but my walk with God and my mothering as my children become adults. I want to show an unwavering faith to my grandchildren and follow hard after all God calls me to do this side of heaven. I want to bring glory to God in all I do.
Long after the new, shiny start, I want to stay steadfast. Help me finish well, Lord.
In His Word
Philippians 1:6 promises, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (ESV)
Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (ESV)
In Your Life
What do you need to ask God to help you finish well? What practical steps can help you be steadfast in your call?
We Recommend
If you need steadfast faith in a season of difficulty or loss, find help and hope in Lisa’s book Life Can Be Good Again: Putting Your World Back Together After It All Falls Apart.
Let’s Connect
Lisa loves encouraging steadfast faith in a storm on her Instagram. And set your mind of God’s encouragement through this free 31 Days of Christian Affirmations here.