Unfinished business.

Everything ends; you just have to figure out a way

to push the finish line. –Jesse Itzler

Unfinished business

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a musical genius. He composed his first piece when he was only five years old. At an early age, he was performing confidently before royalty. A true prodigy, music seemed to pour forth from his soul like water from a well.

When Mozart died, he had only completed the first movement of his now-famous Requiem. Bits and pieces of nine other movements were found, but Mozart’s final work would never have been completed if not for Franz Süssmayr, an acquaintance of Mozart. Süssmayr not only completed the nine partial movements Mozart had left behind; he added four more, all in the manner and style of Mozart.

Throughout history, great works have been left unfinished. Sometimes they remain incomplete, as in the case of the watercolor portrait of Franklin Roosevelt, begun on April 12, 1945. The president collapsed and died later that day, and the portrait by Elizabeth Shoumatoff was never finished.

But it seems more often that friends and followers take up where the artist leaves off. Michelangelo, Da Vinci—even Mark Twain—were taken from this world before their work was completed; yet others felt compelled to carry on, continue and complete, out of love for the artist.

Over 2000 years ago, a man named Jesus walked the earth. When he left this world, a group of committed followers was given the charge to continue his work in the world, a work of loving God and loving people. Each one of us, if we profess to follow the Christ, is given the same task. Christ’s work is not yet finished. How will you be part of the Big Picture in the world?

Monday For some, the “standard of giving” is a tithe, or 10%. Reflect for a moment on a typical day. Do you tithe your time to the Almighty? Habakkuk 1:1-4

Tuesday Pause today in front of a mirror. Look at yourself through God’s eyes. See only with love. Be thankful and rest. Lamentations 3:19-26

Wednesday Stop for a moment and gaze deeply at the beauty that surrounds you. Give thanks. Habakkuk 2:1-4

Thursday When was the last time you thought about the complex beauty of your physical body and the way it works? Pause and listen: to your fingers snapping, your heart beating, your tummy growling. Luke 17:5-10

Friday What is one of your attributes that you consider a unique part of who you are? Your voice? Your smile? The way you roll your eyes? (Ha!) This, too, is part of the way the Creator created you. Give thanks. Psalm 137

Saturday We have been self-focused all week; now, look around you, at the person next door or at the next table. See through God’s eyes. Pause and pray for another. 1 Timothy 1:1-5

Sunday Greet one another this morning in holy love. Rejoice and be glad for the wonder of our church home and family. 1 Timothy 6-14

The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything 

and wishing you would have worked harder.

–Derek Jeter