We all start something we can’t finish
Billy came running home and yelled to his dad, “Daddy, Johnny’s father has a list of all the other fathers he can beat up and your name is at the top of the list.”
“It is, huh?” replied his dad.
“Where does Johnny’s dad live?”
“About four houses down on the left.”
So Billy’s dad walked down to the fourth house on the left, knocked on the door and when Johnny’s dad answered the door, Billy’s dad said, “I hear you have a list of the names of the fathers your little Johnny plays with.”
“I do,” replied Johnny’s dad.
“And I hear my name is at the top of the list.”
“It is,” replied Johnny’s dad.
“Well, I’m here to tell you that you can’t beat me up. Now what are you going to do?”
To which Billy’s dad replied, “I guess I’ll take your name off the list.”
We all have started something that we have not finished. Every one of us has done that. Under Nehemiah’s leadership, the wall had been rebuilt. God’s people had been rebuilt too. A purpose had been restored and a passion had been rekindled. And the city had been reborn. Now, the big question was, “Can you keep it?” Nehemiah understood that is what got the Israelites in trouble was not the loss of their military. It was their decision to abandon God’s law.
If America continues her Christ-less walk and continues to turn her back on the living God of this universe and continue her path of abandoning God, all the nuclear power of this world cannot protect us. The only reason America is still standing is because the very hand of God has been on this country.
The children of Israel learned two things and we need to learn them too: 1) It costs to follow God. It will cost your time, talent and treasure. It might cost you some friends when you take a stand to follow God in your life. 2) It costs more not to follow God. You see, each and every one of us has a God-shaped hole in our lives that only God can fill. Nothing else can fill it. Nothing. And until we surrender our lives to the will of God in our lives, we will not be happy.
We will start things and not finish them because we will get bored with them. This could include jobs, sports, recreation, fellowships, and relationships. Until we put the Lord first in our lives and live our lives according to His purpose, we will not find true happiness. It’s not at the bottom of a wine glass or a beer bottle. It’s not found in drugs or illicit sex.
These things satisfy for a little while, but then the “thrill is gone.” I have known Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for over 30 years, and I can truthfully say to you “He keeps getting better every day.” Could I encourage you to look to Him for the things you need in life? To put Him first? To trust Him in your everyday life? I promise, when you start your life with Jesus, it keeps getting better and better.
Pastor Thad Gifford is lead pastor of the Crossroads Community Church of Madison County, 62 E. Second St., London. He can be reached at (740) 852-7800, e-mail him at sermon8er@aol.com or at their website www.3c-church.org.
