He is The Author And The Finisher!

Author: one that originates or creates, one that writes or compose a literary work
Finisher: to bring to completion, to come to the end of a course

Have you ever thought about Authors? In many ways, an Author is also a Captain and a Chief leader. They spend their time creating the story line, working out the plot, developing the twists, and then writing the perfect ending. There's a lot of planning that goes into writing a good story. If the planning or the story itself gets off track, in most cases, the author can "right the ship" or to steer it back on path - just like any other captain or leader would do.

Have you ever thought about God as an Author? He's our creator, right? Before the foundation of the world, He spent time writing our story, thinking about the twists and turns our lives would take. And like a captain, He's had to steer us back on the right path more than a time or two. Psalms 23:2-3 tells us that "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Likewise, He's the one who's going to bring His master plan to completion: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalms 23:6).

That doesn't mean our story will be all sunshine and rainbows. There will be dark times. He will allow us to get off track here and there. Not because it's the right thing for us to do. Sometimes He allows us to follow our own plans because He's giving us the opportunity to chose. To chose Him, and his master plan/story for our lives. Even after we have hit a few bumps in the road, and had a few heartache and pains, He will allow us to get right back on track with His story line for us and will allow us to complete His plan for us.

Consider Jonah. Jonah felt like he could be the Captain of his own story. You probably know his story well, but just in case you don't, here's the highlights: Jonah went to Tarshish when the Author told him to go to Nineveh. The Lord allowed Jonah to deviate from the plot that had been developed for him. But like any great author, the Lord developed a twist in the story line - He allowed a great fish to swallow Jonah up!

The Bible says, "out of the belly of hell Jonah cried out and the Lord heard his voice, and spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land" (Jonah 2:1-10). We must not forget, the Author wrote the plan, so if we get off track it's going to cost us something and we will still have to finish that chapter of the story that God has written for our lives; just as Jonah still had to go and preach to the people in Nineveh.

When in doubt; when you don't know what to do in a situation; just read the book - i.e. the Bible - that God left for us  as a road map or a guide for how our story should go. If it's still not clear - just ask the Captain, "Lord, what would you have me to do in this situation?"

Remember, He's the Author and the Finisher, whatever He starts, He will surely finish it. Most importantly, He's the best author out there, so He doesn't need our help! He wrote the plan, all we need to do is listen and obey! Jesus loves you, my friends.

With all that said, let the Church say Amen... and AMEN!