The God of Tying Loose Ends

Let’s imagine we’re chatting at your favorite coffee shop. (Because ‘tis the gray season here in the Pacific Northwest.) We wrap our hands around paper cups, breathe in the scented steam, and enjoy the peaceful buzz of the atmosphere for a moment.

If we skipped the small talk and went straight for your God story, I bet you’d have testimonies to tell. Times when God came through with a miracle after a physical or mental health crisis, parenting challenge, job loss, or financial need. Or maybe a beautiful transformation or healing that came after grief and struggle. Those are the moments we praise God for after the conclusions of them all. We can laugh (or happy cry) over them now.

But when we get to here and now, it gets a little quiet. A little more still and solemn. We’ve made it to the vulnerable part–the questions and problems we haven’t found answers or solutions for yet. This is where the faith hits the pavement, so to speak. This is where we decide whether or not to keep trusting him, even if the outcome is uncertain.

As much as we can tell our stories and speak of God’s faithfulness, it can be so difficult to trust him when the outlook is cloudy, when you can’t see the road ahead.

Can I reach across the table, hold your hand, and lend you a little faith for this season?

If you feel like God has left you stranded in the struggle, repeat after me: Our God is the God of tying loose ends and finishing what he starts.

He’s not the God of “sorry, I forgot.” Or the one who runs out of time or resources. Not the one that changes his mind or gives up or lets you down.

Even in my biggest struggles, in the loss and grief and the way things didn’t turn out as hoped, I know this to be true: he still manages to find a way to show up and work things for the good. Whether or not “good” looks like what I thought it would.

This is the trustworthy, steadfast character of our God. Our God finishes what he starts. He has the final say. He always follows through.

Let these promises from God and assurances of his character sink in:

He finishes what he starts: “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6 NIV

His Word will be fulfilled: “…so is my word that comes from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11 NIV

Jesus accomplishes God’s plan of salvation: ““My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” – ‭‭John‬ ‭4:34‬ NIV

He doesn’t change his mind or go back on his word: “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” – Numbers‬ ‭23:19‬ NIV

His promises are trustworthy: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” – 2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:20-22‬ ‭NIV

He is faithful and will fulfill what he promises: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” – 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:23-24‬ ‭NIV

While I love to see the ways we are like God and made in his image, how incredibly set apart he is from us! How trustworthy and unwavering, to the very end!

Currently, in my own time of questions and unknowns, I’m wrapping these promises around me like a blanket.

He will not give up on me. He won’t lead me halfway and leave me hanging. My story isn’t over until he says it is (and he is working it out for my good). And the same goes for you, friend.

Three things will help us to keep choosing faith: First, knowing and calling to mind his promises, as we just talked about above. Second is to continue telling those stories of victory and grace, whether to others or ourselves, reminding us of how God has shown up in the past. And third, perhaps, is borrowing the faith of friends who hold your arms up in the fight. (See the battle of the Israelites versus the Amalekites in Exodus 17.)

I don’t know what promise you’re waiting on today. Or maybe it’s not even a promise — it’s something you know is coming, but you have no idea how it will all come together.

Don’t panic. The story doesn’t end here. Trust God to finish what He started. Let us here at AllMomDoes pray with you through the process and help hold your arms up as you wait for the miracle.