It is Finished! by Tammy Blackburn

The end was in sight. So near, yet so far away. Seven long years I had worked for this goal and now all that stood between me and my diploma was one research paper and a final exam. I sat at my desk with my head face down in my book. I was not sure I could summon up the strength for even one more page.

Then, from somewhere deep inside the perseverance rose up and I pushed forward. What a wonderful feeling it was to type the final word in that paper and turn in that one last test. I had finished! I had achieved the goal!



God has been drawing my attention to finish lines lately. God rested only after he saw that creation was finished. Jesus gave up his Spirit on the cross only when the work of redemption was finished. Paul was diligent to finish the race God had set before him.

A friend recently participated in her first 5K race. She did not come in near the front, but she was thrilled and proud to have finished. My father-in-law is facing some serious life threatening health problems at the moment. We are praying for his recovery, but I know he has served the Lord faithfully and would be able to stand before God knowing he had finished what he was called to do.

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 2 Corinthians 8:11

As Christians, we have all been given a goal to complete. We were commissioned by Christ to tell the world about Him. We are to spread the Gospel of Christ to everyone, here at home as well as in other countries. God has also called us to individual goals. We are to be good and faithful wives, husbands, parents, friends, employees, etc. Satan will do everything possible to trip us up in our race to the finish. There will be hardships, friends will betray us, loved ones will pass away, loss of jobs and finances, and numerous other struggles. Sometimes, we may feel like I did as I was trying to write my final paper; like we cannot possibly continue the race. But, deep inside lives the Holy Spirit. He will empower us with the strength and determination needed if we only ask. Jesus desires for us to experience the satisfaction that comes with a job well done. He is cheering us on.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 tells us Christ is faithful and protects us from Satan. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 reminds us that whatever God has called us to do, he will be faithful to do it through us.

Where are you in the race? Do you ever feel like giving up? Keep pressing toward the finish and never give up. We are empowered from on high!

Tammy recently completed her degree in Psychology, attended the beautiful wedding of her son and new daughter-in-law, and is excitedly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild this summer. She loves to write, read, and hear God speak through his awesome creation.