Knowing Jesus as the Author and Finisher of Our Faith for the First Time
The Author and Finisher of our faith.
This is just one of the many names we call Jesus. It is not one of the common names like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, or Everlasting Father, but knowing Jesus as the Author and Finisher of our faith is one name that can change the course of our lives forever.
You see, we weren’t meant to write our own stories.
I don’t think most of us even realize that we are attempting to write our own stories until we get to a place in our lives where writing it becomes a burden.
We strive to perfect our own lives by seeking the approval of people and finding happiness and contentment in all the wrong places. We are continually plagued with disappointment because our stories are not really turning out the way we hoped.
All the while, Jesus continues to knock at our hearts’ door, patiently waiting for us to release the pen to Him.
When we let go, He begins to write our story.
In my own life, I saw this happen.
I remember a young girl who saw herself as less than the rest.
This young girl was the youngest of three children with a wonderful mom and dad. She was quiet and shy and found herself in the background of the crowd for fear of being noticed by others because she didn’t want them to see who she really was.
She spoke with a lisp and struggled in school academically.
During her teen years, she spent a lot of time with her neighborhood friends having fun and searching to find her place in life.
Deep in her heart, she knew something was missing.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20
God was relentlessly pursuing her and knocking at her heart’s door because He wanted to write her story. Little did she know that God had been working on her behalf, orchestrating circumstances and placing people in her path, leading her to the day in May when she would make the decision to open her heart to Him.
It was on this day that she came to know God as the Author and Finisher of her faith.
Her story went from being one of a hopeless young lady to a story of an unforgettable daughter of God. She was now walking in a freedom she had never experienced before and God was filling her life with a peace that surpassed all understanding.
“and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
This peace became the anchor for her soul as she walked through the valleys and sang from the mountaintops of her life.
Each one of her chapters represented different seasons, but her faith was the one thing that remained the same.
She was no longer swayed by events and circumstances and realized that her life’s story belonged to God.
It was really His story for His glory.
As I look back over those years, I’ve seen the importance of having my eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that He will get me to the end of the race. There is no wondering how my story will end. It is gracefully being written by Him.
Do you know who is writing your story?
If you find yourself weary and anxious, I hope that today you will come to know God as the Author and Finisher of your Faith.
If you aren’t sure where to start, Hebrews 11 is a great beginning. It tells us about those who allowed God to write their stories as they walked by faith.
Their faith wasn’t just to receive God’s promises at the moment, but they knew God was writing their stories and no matter how it played out, they knew that keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus would get them to the same ending.
They knew that Jesus was preparing a place for them and that their stories belonged to Him.
They understood that trusting the Author would sometimes mean they could not lean on their own understanding and just needed to acknowledge God in all their ways. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: 1- 2
It is God’s desire for us to keep our eyes fixed on Him. He wants us to know that we don’t have to run our race on our own. He wants us to find rest in Him and walk in His peace that surpasses all understanding. Our story belongs to Him!
About the Author
Laurie Vignes is a second grade teacher at a local Christian school and the Children’s Pastor at New Beginnings Church in Covington, La. Her heart is to see the children she serves grow in their relationship with God and know they can do all things with Him. She loves spending time with her three kids and is blessed to be called their mother. She enjoys time at the beach with friends and family and loves music and dancing. Her newest passion is writing! She believes that spoken and written words are powerful and looks purposely to God to lead her through His Word.
a love-filled story written by God. I know a young one like you were and pray she will find her hope in Jesus as a young adult.