Closure Issues

The curious thing about humanity is that we tend to have closure issues. When projects, relationships, arguments, or even statements seem open-ended; we feel the need to close the circle. We don’t like cliffhangers. There is something inside of us that needs to see the finished product. Maybe it’s from a sense of accomplishment. Or a sense of needing things just so and a resolution has been made. Maybe it comes from a sense of control over our lives. Whatever the case, we like seeing the result. The unfortunate truth is that we don’t always get that option. And for many of us it drives us crazy.

However, when it comes to our faith journey and the call on our lives as disciples sent to go and share the message of Jesus Christ with the world, we don’t always get to see the end result. We don't always get to see the fruit of our labor. And that can be hard when we have closure issues. The good news for us, though, is that the end result is out of our control. All the weight, stress, and frustration we put in to see the finished product is lifted because the end of the story isn’t on our shoulders. The apostle Paul put it this way, I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:6-9 NIV)

If there’s something that we have to be thankful for this week is that we don’t have to stress out about the end result. We don’t need to worry about closure when it comes to the kingdom of God. The work of completing the task at hand is already taken care of. The work is in the best hands possible. And they aren’t ours. Our job is to put our best foot forward. To share our story of how Jesus has changed our lives. And then we leave the results up to the One who carried the weight of the world on His shoulders. God Himself is the chief overseer of this mighty project. He’s the one that brings growth. He’s the one that will bring it to completion. Trust the process and trust Him. Our call, as disciples, is to go out and share the gospel. To share the gospel story that lives inside of you. Go and share. Leave the results to God.