How Bad Do You Want It? How Will You Finish?

Two more months…

Just two more months until the end of 2020. Can you believe it?! Yeah, me neither. A recent conversation with a friend of mine left me wondering: What will 2020 be a record of in my life? Will I be able to say I finished strong? Or will I place the blame on COVID-19 for how much I wasn’t able to accomplish?

Playing the blame game is easy. Playing the victim is easy. But taking responsibility and admitting that the problem is you…well, that takes courage.

I wouldn’t dare dismiss the challenges that have come with 2020. However, my faith assures me that with God all things are possible. A global pandemic, economic distress, racial tensions, and the like are no match for my God. Jesus was raised from death to life in just three days – just imagine what my God can do in two or three months?! He specializes in things that are impossible! He is the great redeemer and restorer!

Let’s be honest. We are ALL expecting and desiring something that goes beyond our human understanding. Faith tells us that there is more, even when the more is not right in front of us. What are you expecting? What are you praying and believing God will do for you or your family? What has He shown you? And herein lie the deeper questions – does your pursuit match your expectation? In other words, how bad do you want it?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1, KJV

Faith is a product of that which is unseen. In order to obtain what we cannot see, we must be willing to CHANGE OUR MINDS and DO SOMETHING that has never been done. Let that soak and marinate for a moment. (Don’t worry, I got time).

Let’s take a few moments to talk about Jacob, the son of Isaac, and the grandson of Abraham. (If you need a little refresher, take a quick peak at my post, Resting in His Promises).

Recently, God led me to spend some time studying more about Jacob in the book of Genesis.

“So Jacob was left alone, and a Man [came and] wrestled with him until daybreak. When the Man saw that He had not prevailed against Jacob, He touched his hip join; and Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with Him. Then He said, ‘Let me go, for day is breaking.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go unless You declare a blessing on me.'”

Genesis 32: 24-26, AMP

Jacob was wrestling with an angel, or a messenger, sent from God. Prior to this point, Jacob had been through a fair share of rough patches. He and his twin brother Esau were at odds with one another after Jacob received the blessing of inheritance. This made Esau, the oldest and firstborn, big mad.

This caused Jacob to flee and leave home. He later met a beautiful woman (Rachel), then made an agreement to serve her father for 7 years to receive her hand in marriage.

Just when things were looking up, Jacob was tricked into marrying Rachel’s sister, Leah. And the story gets better. Jacob had to serve yet another 7 years to finally get the blessing to marry Rachel. (Talk about humility and resilience, geez! This is another level! There is more to the story, but maybe I will revisit it for a future blog post). 🙂

Now, let’s go back to the part where Jacob wrestled with the angel of God. First of all, what type of person does that, let alone has the strength and endurance to wrestle from night time to daybreak?! Secondly, what type of person says, “I will not let go UNLESS you bless me?”

I will tell you who. A person that knows their identity. A person that believes that God is faithful. A person that trusts that God is a keeper of His covenant and promises spoken over generations past and generations to come. A person that is not afraid to put a demand on God’s word.

God had already promised Jacob that his descendants would be numerous. And in the midst of dire and uncertain circumstances, Jacob wrestled. Jacob contended for His blessings. He said, “I WILL NOT LET GO UNLESS YOU BLESS ME!”

Because Jacob contended for what he knew belonged to him, his name was changed. The angel responded:

“Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”

Genesis 32: 28, AMP

Wow! Did you catch that?! Jacob became the forerunner for an entire nation – the nation of Israel! God’s chosen people.

Your identity is defined by your willingness to agree with and contend for what God says about you! Your greatest struggles lie in what you choose to believe. Will you shift your mindset to believe what God says about you and what He says belongs to you? A godly mindset is the pre-requisite for breakthrough.

With two months left in 2020, there is so much left for you to believe and declare. There are so many more blessings for you to contend for, not just for yourself, but for your legacy.

My friend, your life is not over. Your dreams are not dismissed. Your vision is not void. If you have a pulse, there is still time. Time to repent. Time to start over. Time to build. Time to finish.

How bad do YOU want it? How will YOU finish?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and amazing grace. Thank you for choosing me before the beginning of time. I am so grateful to be your child. I repent for taking your grace for granted. I repent for my unbelief, doubt, fear, and improper stewardship of the gifts that you have placed to my hands. I repent for believing that I am a victim because you created me to be a victor. Today, I break off the old mindset and limitations that I have formed, and invite you into my heart and mind to show me a new perspective. Today, I put a demand on what your word says about me. I am an overcomer! I am victorious! You have great things stored up for me and my children! Everything you spoke about me in eternity must come to pass, because your word cannot return to you void! I will not let go unless you bless me! I will surround myself with people who hold me accountable and challenge me to be the authentic me. I will guard my heart and renew my mind daily. I will not be influenced by the cares of this world. I will not be pressured by the opinions of people. My identity is defined by you and you alone! My desire is to please you and not man. I will finish 2020 strong, not in my own might or power, but only by your Spirit. I will partner with you to make the destiny and vision you have for my life a reality. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.