Fights, Finishing & Faith

 By: Joanne Viola

I had a goal again this year – to read the Bible through in a year. So I chose a plan or perhaps, the plan chose me. Either way, I started.

I have found Leviticus to be a curious book:

• There were many requirements for the sacrifices.
• It was such a beautiful and perfect picture of Jesus who became our High Priest and ultimate sacrifice.
• God is holy.
• We need to be holy to be in relationship with Him.
• Left to ourselves, we will begin to worship something other than God.
• God always required a perfect, unblemished animal to be sacrificed.

But Leviticus also brought a different sort of a lesson:

God wants us to complete goals that we set for ourselves.
He desires for us to be successful more than we desire it.
He wants us to be successful in Him.

Upon reading that last verse of Leviticus, my heart felt full.  It was then that the words of Paul filled my mind, fell fresh & anew with meaning:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7, NASB)

God desires for us to be disciplined and finish the things He places upon our hearts. He knows joy will fill us as we do the things that please Him. He knows as we press on, fight the fight, we will learn more about Him and His character. Our relationship with Him will strengthen. As we achieve new heights in Him, we will be filled with hope to achieve even more.

So press on. Keep fighting.
Finish the race. Remain faithful.
You can do it in Him!

 

Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash