The Author and the Finisher

One Year Bible
New Testament Passage (for Wed., November 14, 2012):  Hebrews 11:32-12:13

² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

Each one of us is a unique project designed by God Himself.  Like snowflakes, there may be millions of us, but no two are alike.  Only an awesome, unlimited God could do such a thing.  We are not some freak mutation from a random cosmos.  We, each one of us, is a hand-designed masterpiece created by God.

In Phil. 1:6, Paul says that He who began this great work will bring it to completion.  We read similar words here in Hebrews when it says that Jesus is "the author and finisher of our faith."  That means that He got you started and He will bring you to completion.  You are part of His handiwork.

But, consider this, it is the finishing that is the most exacting and particular part of this work.  In furniture building or carpentry, it is the "finish work" that is the hardest and most detailed.  It's relatively easy to nail the first two-by-fours together and frame things up.  But when it comes to the last steps, the craftsman's skill shines the most.

God is that way in your life.  When the furniture builder is bringing things to completion, he brings out the sandpaper.  He shapes things with a careful eye.  He takes extra care.  God has often brought out the sandpaper on me, too.  He gets particular.  He gets specific.  He starts rubbing me the wrong way getting all the rough places smoothed out.

I am not always a compliant disciple.  When things aren't going my way, I can get irritable.  I can get angry.  Actually, God is bringing these things my way to work on me!  He will actually allow someone to rub me the wrong way just so He can do a little "finish work."  He is polishing me up. 

There may be a particularly irritable person you work with.  It may be the way traffic seems to slow down just when you need to speed up.  I find that God always traps me in the slowest line at the grocery store.

He is working on me!  The result is going to be a work of beauty -- not because I am such a great prize -- but because the master craftsman is so good at what He does. 

So, allow the Lord to rub on you today.  He will bring a new and magnificent surface to your life.  It will be a testament to how good He is!