Finish Strong

Week 18, Friday

Debbie Stuart

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 3:4

I recently got lost on a short drive from Plano to Denton, Texas. The crazy thing was I had the directions in my hand. How did I get lost with directions in my hand? I admit it. I get lost all the time. I’ve gone the wrong way on a one-way street, I’ve been on dead-end streets, on detours, and in the ditches. I even found myself in the men’s restroom, wondering all the while how I got there. This got me thinking about my journey in life, following directions, and getting where I’m going so I can finish strong.

I have God’s Word to give me direction, guidance, and instruction. So how is it that I have been lost, hopeless, and fearful without a clue as to what I should do? One reason is because I stopped paying attention. On my journey to Denton, I put my directions aside because I thought I knew what I was doing. I got on my phone and started doing other things. An important principle for finishing strong is paying attention.

This principle is found in Exodus 3 in the story of Moses and the burning bush. Verse 4 says, “When the Lord saw Moses come to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush” (nlt). I shudder to think how many times I have missed the Lord’s voice because I failed to pay attention and I got sidetracked. Maybe you got off track with the Lord over something He did or didn’t do. Perhaps you got sidetracked at a hospital bed, at a doctor’s office, over a job you lost, at a place you had to leave or stay, at a cemetery, or in a prison visitation room. Something unexpected or painful can cause us to get lost. Without good direction people lose their way, joy, and hope.

It is at the crossroads in life that we confirm or compromise God’s plan and purpose. Isaiah 66:9 says, “I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born” (ncv). When life is hard, answers don’t come and tears won’t stop. But we can still move forward and finish strong. Ezekiel 14:23 says, “‘I have done nothing without cause that I have done in it,’ says the Lord God” (nkjv).

Father, forgive me for not paying attention and following directions. Enable me to focus entirely upon You and Your plan, purposes, and program for my life. Show me where I have gotten off track with You and direct me in the way I should go. Amen.