Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have (2 Corinthians 8:11-12).

Each of us has had moments in our lives where we have felt the prompting of the Spirit to immerse ourselves in God-honoring efforts. When we first experience the nudge to further the Kingdom, there is often an emotional, heart-bursting sensation which brings us joy and hope. Typically, we walk away from these brushes with God determined to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly and unswervingly to the task before us.

Unfortunately, if you are anything like me in these encounters, you have had to face the "inner sloth." That's the questioning voice that asks, "Is this task worth it?" or, "Was this really where I should be? It doesn't feel like I thought it would." The inner sloth arises when the emotion of the initial prompting goes away. It appears again when we get tired, when others are unwilling to help, when we are not recognized for our efforts or when something more appealing comes across our path.

In our society, far too often we only want to be devoted to something when there are tangible and frequent rewards, affirmation and happiness. If these emotions are not there, we lose motivation, dedication and hope, and the inner sloth reveals himself again.

Paul addresses this issue of the inner sloth by challenging the church in Corinth to follow through with their commitment. He praises the church for making an excited commitment to serving the cause of Christ, but challenges them to follow through with that commitment (v. 11). Paul then reminds the church not to get discouraged when their efforts don't meet their internal expectations. Instead, he writes that God desires their willingness to finish the tasks He has put before them, even if their efforts aren't as stupendous as they had first hoped (v. 12).

In the letter to the church in Corinth, Paul is specifically addressing the issue of giving, but I believe the principle can apply to many areas of spiritual journeys. Are there commitments you've made, verbally or in your heart, that you are struggling to follow through with? Have you become discouraged because the work is not quite as glamorous or praised as you had hoped? Have poor leadership, uncommitted co-workers or your own ineptitude robbed you of your joy? Come back to the challenge of Paul. Don't look at what you haven't been able to do--instead, dwell on the initial prompting of the Spirit and celebrate that the Lord touched your heart. Then bask in the knowledge that He desires your willingness to be about His business as much or more so than the final glory of the effort.

-Danny Orrick

Walk in the "spiritual gift" of follow-through.  You will see God move in your efforts, and more importantly, you will know that He is pleased because you were willing to stay true to His leading.

© 2003 Kingdom Building Ministries.