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Finish Strong

Shanta Crichlow

Ready:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Set:

The final match, the last quarter, the last 50 meters, the 9th inning… We know what it means to push our bodies beyond its limit and finish strong when things get tough. It requires being present in the moment, focusing on execution rather than the pain and exhaustion, and breathing. It requires that we trust our coach and the process even when the outcome doesn’t look great.

In Mathew 25:1-10, Jesus gives us a parable about ten women. Five of them were prepared for a long wait ahead and ten were not. The latter didn’t finish strong.

It’s easy to give up when the end is out of sight or the journey’s been long. Trust makes the difference. Many passages encourage us to trust God with our lives and why we can. He formed us, knows us by name and all we need. He knows the desires of our heart and truly loves us. It’s safe to take a breath and relax with Him. It’s okay to tell Him what’s hurting you and then choose not to worry about it anymore. It’s okay to make the right decision when it feels a little uncomfortable. Trust God with your life because He will not abuse or mismanage it and finish strong.

Go: 

1. When do you find it the most difficult to keep pushing forward?

2. When do you find it the most difficult to trust the process?

3. What is a current situation where you can practice trusting God so you can finish strong?

Workout: 

• Matthew 25:1-10
• Psalm 103:13-18
• Psalm 145:13-16
• Matthew 6:25-34
• Galatians 6:9
• Matthew 24:10-13

Overtime:

“Lord, I want to trust You with this challenge that I’m facing. I give the outcome up to You so I can concentrate on what I need to do to finish strong. Thank You for caring about this.”