Finish Strong


Finish strong!

Those are words I’ve been saying to myself lately.

It’s almost the end of the school year with only next week left.  Working in the field of teaching is new for me.  I’ve enjoyed it so much but I have to admit that working with little children can be very tiring.  Dealing with 19 three year olds all day long and then doing an after school program for 15 seven year olds has its rewards but …. it’s been quite an adjustment for me.

However,  I love the children and I really want to finish the school year strong.

Finish strong!

These words also remind of my spiritual journey.  There have been days when I’d actually be glad to see the Lord return.  But then I remember the people I love and care about who may not YET know Him as their personal Savior.  So I pray for His strength to keep on.

It seems that there are so many indications that the time is closer.  Wars, earthquakes, floods, terrorism and financial upheaval seem to loom from the headlines of the newspaper.  There are even predictions that the end of the world may occur at the end of May of 2011 and others write of the year 2012.  But do we believe this?

The Bible says in Matthew 24:36:

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

So we don’t make these predictions but instead live our lives each day making the best of this time while it is still light.

Yes, I read my Bible and pay attention to the signs of the times.

I pray that no matter when the Lord choses to take me home or if He returns first, that I will …finish strong.

After all, I’m one day closer than I was yesterday.  And  I want to be found obedient living a life of faith.  As believers, we need to encourage one another.

I pray that we would finish strong.

Blessings and love,

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11 thoughts on “Finish Strong

  1. Iris

    You are right, Debbie. We do not know when our Lord will return. May we live our lives with every minute counting to make a difference in the lives of others. Let us finish strong, not taking our eyes of Jesu.

  2. JoanJoan

    Each day is a gift from God. As we live our lives let’s live them as if He were coming today, but understanding, like you wrote, that only the Father knows when that time will be. I want to finish strong, too!!

    Blessings, Joan

  3. bp

    May is a hard time for teachers and students! I’ll be praying for you to finish strong.

    Such a great spiritual application here as well. I wrote a litle about the same verse from Matthew in a post this week.

    God bless you friend!
    Bethany

  4. rcubes

    I love the way the Lord had told us through His Word that “no one truly knows the hour when He returns except the Father…” I think it should help any believer not to be complacent but instead always be ready upon His return. The first Scripture the Lord brought to my mind when I became a “true believer” was Ephesians 6:10 – “Be strong in the Lord’s mighty power.” Looking back, now I know that we are not to be strong because of our own strength but we deal with anything because of His. Thank God for His mighty weapons that will sustain us until we either return home or until He returns. Glory be to God! Thank you for giving me that push sister…”to finish strong…” God bless.

  5. Debbie

    You are soo right Debbie. It is all about finishing strong. Pressing towards that finish line and hearing, “Well done good and faithful servant” How I long to hear those words.

    Your right as well about working with children. I am sure I mentioned I did that for over 10 years and while I LOVED it, it was very tiring sometimes. And it was many years ago, and I didn’t work with pre-schoolers which has got to be even more demanding. What a blessing I am sure you are not only to those kids, but to their parents. I will pray you finish strong, and make a difference in their lives.

    Blessings, Debbie

  6. Bernadine

    I’m almost at the end of my school year also Debbie, 31 4th graders. Agreeing in prayer for that strong finish, in the school year and spiritually. Thanks for sharing.

  7. Lea Culp

    Debbie, what a great post. Yes, my greatest desire is that the end of my life I will be greeted with the words, “well done thy good and faithful servant.” It’s a constant struggle to achieve on a daily basis for sure.

    Blessings to you!

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