It Is Finished

As I sit here this morning on the eve of a new year, having just read from John 19, the words of Jesus from the cross, "It is finished," seem to put a seal on 2014 for me.  2014 is finished, the time allotted for this year has run out and it is over.  But unlike Christ's work on earth, my work and the responsibilities flowing from it from 2014 are not finished.

Fires of activity were started that still need tending, plans were launched that still need to be hammered out and worked through.  I'm juggling several balls that went up stamped 2014 and are coming down restamped 2015.  The year is finished but the work, the responsibilities and forward motion continue.

The reality for me is less "It is finished" (Jn 19:30) and more "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press  on..." (Phil 3:13-14).  I cannot afford to rest on the accomplishments of 2014 or allow myself to drug down by the set backs, I have to move forward into 2015, accepting the reality of unfinished business and the responisbility approaching from new business just over the horizon.  The year has finished and it begins anew.

It is not finished in the sense that my work is done, but it is finished in the sense that Christ's work is done and therefore the end game for my work is sealed, it is finished.  Say again?  My work is ongoing, transferring from 2014 to 2015 and beyond, the battle continues but the war is won.  My victory over life and death was won on the cross and therefore, it is finished.  I don't have to worry if I will be good enough or accomplish enough, His work was more than enough for me.

That is the confidence we can carry into the 2015, regardless how 2014 ended up.  Our victory is not for us to win, it has been won, troubles and setbacks notwithstanding.  "In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33).   The road stretches out, the journey continues and some rough patches are ahead, but the destination is secure, the path clearly marked by the Savior.  We, like Paul, have to strain toward what is before us but what is before us has been established by Jesus Christ and "It is finished!"  Jus' Say'n.