The Closers of Life

The Closers of Life

The sport of baseball will begin soon.  Spring training will start and players will spring into action, training, preparing, and conditioning for a new season.  I enjoyed playing the sport and played the position of pitcher for several years.  “Going the distance” is a phrase that is used when a pitcher starts the game and pitches each pitch for the entirety of the game.

Today most pitchers are not expected to go the distance.  There are now “closers” who plan to pitch the last inning or two.  They anticipate going to the mound fresh and energetic to strike out the opposing team.

The closers are watching the game, invested, and interested in what is happening.  They are eager to do their part to accomplish the goal of winning the game.

There are many people in Scripture that are good examples of starting and finishing.  In addition, there are several “closers” who conclude the good things that were started.

Consider the following:

• The Lord & Moses: So Moses finished the work. Exodus 40:33 …
• Moses & Joshua: …until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua… Joshua 4:10
• Boaz & Ruth: Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth 3:18
• David & Solomon: So Solomon built the house, and finished it. I Kings 6:14
• Jesus & The Father: I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:4
• Jesus & The Father: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30
• The Lord & Paul: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  II Timothy 4:7

Each good action started with the Lord putting a desire in the heart of the man.  The Lord gave direction and Moses, Joshua, Paul and the others all responded to the will of the Lord.  They finished what the Lord started in their lives.  Even Solomon finished what David had been saving materials and money for – the Temple.  The idea started with God.

Jesus completed the will of the Father in accomplishing the greatest need man had – the payment for our sin on the Cross.  Jesus paid it all and finished the work of salvation.

Philippians 1:6 instructs: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

It could be your marriage, family, a job, a ministry, a vocation, school year, education, or book you are reading:  Be a finisher of what God puts in your heart today.  Be a “closer.”