“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 12:2

As we currently are in the season of Lent, which is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later on the night before Easter Sunday, this scripture carries an even deeper meaning for me.   During these 40 days representing Jesus’ time in the wilderness following His baptism, many believers focus their attention on Christ’s selfless sacrifice that the author of Hebrews writes about here. The cross changed everything for all of humanity. From how mankind’s history is dated to the very foundation of how to love others unconditionally, Jesus demonstrated selflessness in a way that no other human had. There are so many amazing truths that we get to focus on in this season of His death, burial and resurrection, but this week I was drawn to the beginning portion of this verse.

“the author and finisher of our faith,”

What an amazing description of Jesus given here of His title and intent toward each one of us!  I’ve never written a book, but I have written countless sermons, journal entries and blog posts over the past few decades.  And like many of you, I’ve read more books in my lifetime than I could ever try to remember.  But I’ve never delivered a sermon or read a book that didn’t finish the point and purpose for which it was written.  In the same way, Jesus isn’t just the instigator, He’s also the one who completes!  He doesn’t leave us hanging..I guess that you could say each one of us are in process.

What you see now isn’t the end result of who I will become. 

I’m not a personal fan of road trips, but my wife and daughter love them. If I had my way, we would be there yesterday!  Maybe you’re like me in that; maybe not. But here’s what I have been learning lately about the “story” of my life being written:  the journey IS the destination!  As I said before, we are in process. God is forming IN me now, so that He can do THROUGH me later. So maybe that means that not only should I extend more grace to others who fail to live up to the standard of perfection, I should also give myself that same grace. Strive to improve your life to a certain healthy extent, yes. But more than that, seek to find rest for your soul in the TRUTH that God is uniquely forming you into the man or woman He created you to become!  What would the world look like…what would we look like, if we truly discovered this life-changing principle?  If I just keep looking to THE One who authored my life, He is the one who will bring my faith into a higher level of maturity.