Abiding with Jesus: Being a Faithful Finisher

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If you’ve been around this blog for the last few years, you may already know my biggest weakness.

I’m not exactly good at staying focused, nor do I well with less than 322 tasks at a time. Because of that, there are a lot of deadlines that I tend to miss in my excitement. A lot of them happen on this blog. (Sorry y’all, just know I love ya!)

But for me, these things that I miss (especially on the blog) weigh heavily on my heart. Because the Good Book tells us:

The slacker craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent is fully satisfied.
— Proverbs 13:4 (CSB)

When I make a commitment to something, whether it’s work, the blog, or even just a commitment to my family, not being able to keep it really bothers me.

It bothers me because I know we live in a world that is overrun with business, and I’ve fallen somewhat into that trap. Currently, I work 2 full-time jobs, am doing school to become a licensed bookkeeper and am adopting a child internationally. None of that includes this blog, which I do for creative freedom and enjoyment.

And I’ll admit, the only reason I feel truly sucked into this trap is because of my adoption, if it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t be working 2 jobs. Nevertheless, how often do you find yourself wondering how quickly time has passed or found yourself trying to catch up on everything that needs to be done because you’ve made yourself too busy?

I feel very convicted that Jesus calls us to be faithful finishers. We may stumble, but if we take something on, no matter what it is, we need to see it through to the end.

People always joke that I take that to the extreme as I’ve had my dog since he was a puppy and he’s 17 years old now. But, to God, even though we may stumble it is important that we follow through in the works He set before us.

But what does it mean to do God’s works?

Doing God’s works is so much more than going out and volunteering every day. It is so much more in-depth than what we thought it may entail, and doing His works is not something that will come easy to us if we go about it alone.

Here are some of the ways we can do God’s work on the earth:

• God asks us to obey Him. (John 14:15)
• He asks us to confess our sins to Him. (1 John 1:9)
• God asks us to trust. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• He asks us to delight ourselves in Him. (Psalm 37:4)
• God tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• And above all, He tells us to love our neighbor. (Mark 12:31)

How can we plan to succeed?

Most times, we overwhelm ourselves with things to do; for ourselves, our children and even our husbands! But the Lord has told us that it is important to rest. (Genesis 2: 1-3 | Matthew 11:28-30)

Eliminate the Unnecessary

So one thing you can start with is eliminating the unnecessary. Really go through your life and decide what is needed and what isn’t. Your children don’t really need 6 extracurricular activities, you don’t need to go to seven social events a week. Take a look at what you’re doing, and start to let go of what isn’t needed.

Plan, plan, plan

Use a planner and stick with it. Understand what you have to do for each week, then assign tasks for each day based on your schedule. Once you’ve done that, only focus on one day at a time. When we’re so focused on everything we have to do, that’s when we become overwhelmed and often quit. Take it one day, one step, one minute at a time if you have to. You don’t need to do anything more than the next right thing.

Finding a planner was really difficult with my ADHD, but I finally landed on an amazing digital planner that is so easy to use, called Artful Agenda. (If you’re interested in trying it, use the code RA14564 for a free cover and sticker pack when you sign up! #Aff)

Celebrate & Give Grace

When you accomplish your tasks/goals for the week, celebrate! And when you don’t, give yourself grace and put it at the top of your list for next week. You are one woman, and no one expects you to do it all (except maybe you). Don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you wear yourself thin. Take grace from God when needed, find rest when you need it, and destroy that to-do list when you’re ready.

How can we be faithful finishers?

If you’re ready to be a faithful finisher, remember:

• Only make promises you can keep
• Stick to your word
• Eliminate the unnecessary
• Plan, plan plan
• Celebrate and give grace

It doesn’t take much from us once we decide to put our minds to it. But the hard part is to commit and stick with it!

I have full faith in you sisters that you can be a faithful finisher! Need a little extra encouragement? Head over to The Homemaker’s Corner to get some everyday encouragement from our ladies there!