The Courage To Finish The Job

People don’t talk too much about the courage it takes to finish a job. Realistically speaking, unless you’re adding explosives to an icy asteroid hurtling toward earth or disarming a bomb while simultaneously fighting off zombies – you probably haven’t considered the importance of courage in finishing a job. But you do, in fact, need courage to finish jobs – particularly when you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Courage And Perseverance

Much is said about perseverance, but few acknowledge how courageous it is to keep going during difficult times. Few people stop to say, “Hey, I know you didn’t see how this would work out, but you got going. That was brave.” Bravery isn’t confined to foxholes and warzones. Bravery is being afraid but doing it anyway. Courage and perseverance go hand in hand.

Good Examples

The prophet Azariah admonishes King Asa to change the direction of Israel. He tells him that God will come near to all who seek him and will not let his work go unrewarded. It wasn’t as though Azariah didn’t know the state of the land and its people. Despite their turning away from God, he reminds and encourages King Asa to turn away from wickedness and return to the Lord. Asa has the courage to make considerable reforms to turn the people back to God.

Advice And Application

King Asa’s work was indeed rewarded. This reminds me of the Turkish proverb, “No matter how far down the wrong road you’ve gone, turn back.” While this bit of wisdom is good, it does take courage. It takes courage to walk backward through a road you have already taken. The strength and perseverance needed to go back to the beginning and begin again – another way – is massive.

You Can Do It

I know it’s hard to begin again or to hold on when you don’t yet see the fruits of your labor. Sometimes I have to coach myself, “You got this! Just keep pushing. You can do it!” Though we may not see what God sees, know what God knows, or even be able to recognize movement in the right direction – it’s okay – if we keep working on God’s mission for our lives – our work will be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.