Finishing What God Gave You is Maturity
I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. John 17:4 NLT
Spiritual maturity is not measured solely by how we begin our race in faith, but by our ability to faithfully conclude the assignments that Heaven has entrusted to us. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus spoke these powerful words that reflect the perfect fulfillment of His purpose. Many start projects, ministries, or spiritual disciplines with great enthusiasm, but few have the constancy to bring them to their end. Finishing what God has entrusted to us is the highest expression of love and obedience that we can offer our Father.
- God’s glory through fulfillment Jesus teaches that giving glory to the Father is directly linked to completing the work. Our life glorifies God not only through our words, but through the persistence in finishing the tasks, large or small, that He has placed in our hands.
- Focus on the specific assignment Jesus did not try to do everything the world demanded, but “the work you gave me to do.” Maturity involves discerning what our specific calling is and saying “no” to distractions to say “yes” with excellence to what God designed for us.
- Overcoming obstacles along the way Reaching the finish line requires overcoming weariness, criticism, and the temptation to abandon the task. Finishing a work means we have allowed the character of Christ to be formed in us, giving us the necessary temperance not to leave things half-done when the road gets difficult.
- The satisfaction of the completed labor There is a deep peace that only someone who can look back and know they have been faithful to the end experiences. This satisfaction is not human pride, but the joy of the Spirit confirming that we have managed the time and resources granted to us well.
Do not allow your life to be a cemetery of unfinished projects or broken promises before God. Maturity is demonstrated in the extra mile and in the daily faithfulness to the commitments we acquire with the Kingdom. Today is a good day to take up what you left halfway and ask the Holy Spirit for the strength to conclude it. By doing so, you will not only be growing in character, but you will be preparing your heart to one day hear from the lips of your Lord: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. John 17:4 NLT
Think About It:
- What spiritual task or commitment have I left unfinished recently, and what has prevented me from completing it?
- How would my perspective change if I saw the fulfillment of my daily responsibilities as a way to give glory to God?
- Make a list of two things that God has entrusted to you (in your family, church, or work) and establish a practical step to move toward their completion this week.