FInishing strong

I used to work out a lot in high school. I would work out lifting weights for countless hours in the weightroom, go throw the baseball for a while and do some hitting and then some running. All the while keeping in the back of my mind the importance of finishing strong. Every day that I didn't get better, someone else did. Every time I didn't finish strong, someone else did and passed me. That was my mindset throughout the whole process. From freshman year to graduation. I was living with so much fear that someone would work harder or show more determination.
I was so fearful of those things,but once I took that baseball glove off for the last time, where did all of that energy and drive go?
Today I would have to say it goes into my ministry. Each day I want to be the first up and the first in the Word. I want to be the first one working and the one finishing the strongest. Today, it's funny that I am sharing this as I am typing my blog about 2 hours later than usual because of situations. I went to the hospital this morning to be with Brad, one of our youth who was having a procedure done. I had to be there at 6:30am so that set me back about 2 hours on my blogging and studying this morning.
Not to worry, I survived. But, perseverance is important.
James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.
Yesterday we talked about how to get the perseverance and how God uses circumstances to build it within us. But finishing strong is important. Any time we quit in the midst of our struggles and trials we are not allowing God to finish out what He started by allowing that trial into our lives to start with.
So the longer the struggle, the greater the trial, the better your faith and perseverance will be. Walk through the trials, keep your head up and allow God to finish what He started in you.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!