Monday, January 2, 2012

2012: The Year of Finishing Fully

I've been thinking and praying the past few days about my plans and goals for 2012.  I thought about different Bible study plans and methods.  I thought about books of the Bible I'd like to focus on.  The one phrase that God keeps bringing to my mind is "finish fully."  My "one word" of 2012, my one goal, is FINISH.

I'm one of those people who does great when it's time to start a project, but not so great when it's time to finish it.  I have several unfinished Bible studies in my notebook or on my phone on YouVersion.  I have scriptures I'm working on memorizing but have fallen behind on.  I have a journal I haven't touched in weeks.  And I know that God wants my new phrase for this year to be "finish fully."

Finish - even though I'm behind.  Finish - even if the deadline is past and the rest of the group is already done.  Finish - even when I don't feel like it.  Finish - even when I think it's pointless.  Just finish.

My husband and I are doing a Bible reading plan together - the M'Cheyne plan - where you read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice in a year.  I will finish it.  I started memorizing Romans 8 with Hiding His Word, and although I'm behind, I will finish it.  I started an inductive study of Ephesians...I don't even know when I started it, its been so long...but this year, I will finish it.  Even if those are the only things I get done in 2012, I will finish fully.

Isn't that really the ultimate goal - to finish fully?  When I close my eyes and finish this life, when I open my eyes into my new life, my real life, I want to hear my Savior say, "Well done.  You finished your race - welcome home."

7 comments:

  1. By His grace, we will finish!

    I am behind, but hoping to catch up a bit soon.

    Happy new year, Amanda. Thanks for linking up!

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  2. I love your choice of words: Finish.

    I'm reminded of Acts 20:24:

    "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

    It fits with your blog theme too: grace in our moments! Thanks for sharing this.

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  3. Beautiful post Amanda! I have an idea, several of us working mom's have written resolutions and I hope you all link them up for tomorrow's WMW. What if we recap once a month to see how everyone's doing with their resolutions? Sort of an accountability mission?

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  4. Stopping by from the Hiding His Word link-up

    Sometimes I need a deadline, others times I don't. But I will finish too! Keep pressing on.

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  5. I really like this concept of "finish" and "finish fully"

    You can do it!!!

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  6. Love this! :) My one word this year is "Invest". I tend to take on too many things - and although they may be 'good' things, they sometimes take my time away from the things I should be investing more in. My main focuses - God, Marriage, Children, God's Call (Child Abuse Prevention / Special Needs Children). While it means I will have to let go of some things, I know that the benefits will be way worth it. :)

    I love your "Finish Fully" - that also speaks to me, as I'm a great 'starter', but not so awesome 'finisher'. :)

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  7. A friend of mine came across your blog. She copied your message since basically it was the same message I told her about finishes, my goal for 2012! I am leading an online quilting group where we have a challenge going to finish our unfinished quilting and a few sewing ones, works in progress and planning specifically what new projects they are going to be. Anyways, I am wishing God's blessings of success as you work toward completing your various projects for 2012.

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I would love to hear your thoughts!