11.25.2015

It Is Finished


Whatever battles you're facing, whether it's addictions, sicknesses, or fear, let me be the one to tell you tonight that you're not alone. 

You know that feeling like you've been somewhere before? That moment when the right words come along at the right time? The instant you meet someone and you know that it must be more than a coincidence? These all point to the movement of an Almighty God.

Because God is moving in your life. Not for just an hour, or a day, or even a few weeks. When you come to know Christ, He moves for a lifetime. When He does a work in your life, the LORD will finish what He has started. 

...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

We all face multiple battles in our lives. We are all human. Humanity is flawed because of sin. There is no escaping it. We are all imperfect humans in need of grace, and that is why God's love is so beautiful. His loving hand reaches out to us, despite our imperfections. His arms are wide open, even when the battles we face are caused from our sinful nature. He makes something beautiful when we hand our own addictions and struggles over to Him.

And when we give it over to Him, He will finish what He begins. He will NOT stop working until it is done. It might take months, years, or even a whole lifetime. But God will finish what He has begun. In fact, Jesus left His home in Heaven in order for us to have eternal life through His sacrifice on the cross. He came to earth to die the most horrible death imaginable, in order that our sins could be forgiven. Despite the longing to escape this death, Jesus still went to the cross. As He took His last breath, He cried out, "It is finished!"

God finished the work that He began.

And the same God that finished His work through the cross over 2,000 years ago still finishes what He begins today.

Just a small battle I've always faced is shyness. I've always been shy since I was young, and while there's not anything necessarily wrong with that, it can become a problem when I begin to appear unfriendly or not wanting to make an effort with others. When you (unintentionally, of course) turn your head the other direction, avoid smiling, or never take the time to talk to others, you not only appear rude, but God's love is not shared.

I realized that this was becoming a problem about two years ago, and I gave my shyness over to God. I asked Him to help me overcome it, and for His love to shine through me.

It's been amazing to see what He has done. While I'm still shy, I definitely believe that I have become so much more outgoing compared to how I once was. While I once was too nervous to say hello, or start a conversation, or even add to a conversation, today I am able to do these things and more. And I know that it is a work that God is doing in my life, and a work that He still is not finished with yet. Through different encounters, He has helped me to gain more experience in talking with others. Most importantly, He has equipped me with His power to overcome this problem.

And whatever you are going through, God equips you with His power, with EVERYTHING you need, to overcome.

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave, the same power that determined victory, a finished work...
is the same power that is working in you. Give your addictions, your anxiety, your problems, over to Him. He will equip you and enable you to overcome. He will finish what He has begun.

He will make you new.
Image via Pinterest

On that day, when all the believers gather in Heaven and worship our King for the rest of eternity, every work that God has begun will be done. You and I will both be able to say the same words that Jesus said as He breathed His last breath:

"It is finished."
 

2 comments:

  1. Beautiful post Alyssa! I too am shy and have problems being outgoing. Thank you for this. Such a wonderful reminder that God finishes things He starts. Thank you for this encouraging reminder!

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    1. Aw, no problem!! Thank you so much for your sweet words. I'm so glad you can relate!!

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