He's Finished

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. −John 19:30

Listen to He's Finished - by Cindy Sproles

The crack of the baseball bat echoed across the stadium. Adam pushed his glove to his brow and supported it with his free hand. The sun brought tears to his eyes as he struggled to focus on the ball. He back peddled, his eyes tracking the ball over his head and toward the fence. This was his chance to win the game. A fly catch would be the third out. A miss meant three runners in would score− a win for the other team. The crowd cheered as Adam reached over his head. The ball clipped the tip of his glove, and bounced off the wooden fence.

He stood, hands on his hips, cleats kicking the grass. He yanked off his glove and slammed it to the ground, storming off the field. He was finished.

I can't tell you the times I've thrown up my hands and said, "I'm finished." I've struggled with a writing plot, writing and rewriting but not finding the right words. I worried until I finally hit the delete key and closed the program.

So many times we give up on a project before it's finished. We're frustrated, impatient, or too lazy to see our work to completion. God spent six days forming the world, and when day seven rolled around He took a break. The writer of Genesis tells us, "He rested from His work." God was pleased with what He'd done, so He kicked up His feet − His work was finished.

Think now, about Jesus nailed to the cross. Often we take His words "it is finished" and assume Jesus simply gives up His spirit. But His words are deeper than His impending death. He was sent to complete the work. Finish the plan. To the spectators on the field of Golgotha that day, the ball sailed over His head and the enemy circled the bases. But in losing, my Christ won. In defeat, He triumphed. The final score was not a reflection of the end of the game.

When you are tempted to accept defeat, to kick the grass and curse the outcome remember Christ. Or at least, remember Adam. His reach fell short, that is true, but there are other days and more games to be played.

The final out only comes for those who refuse to step out of the dugout and play again.