“If you are displeased, I will go back.” Numbers 22:34 NIV
“Unfinished business with others can become unfinished business with God.”
My thoughts today are about “unfinished business.”
Not many people, if any, get everything right on their first try. Life is about recognizing when you are free to move forward, and when you need to go back to do something right that was done wrong, or just left undone. “A wrongdoer is often one who has left something undone, not always someone who has done something.” (Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor). Is there something in your life, in your marriage and family, at your job, or in a friendship that is unfinished business?
I remember too many occasions that I could have encouraged someone so easily with a kind word I left unspoken, or taken more time to listen but didn’t when I could have. I cringe at my lack of responsiveness recently when someone very dear to me was sharing a matter of personal importance to their family; I later realized that I had not given them my full attention nor expressed my care, because I was distracted with something I was on my way to do. I allowed the urgent to crowd out the important. Too many things can remain unfinished business in life.
Today’s verse is from the story of Balaam, a prophet, who found himself on a task without God’s direction and contrary to God’s will. Have you ever found yourself on a course of your own choosing, intentionally or unintentionally without consideration or regard for God’s will? Finally, Balaam became aware of the error of his intended path and the displeasure of God, “I have sinned, for I did not know that You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if You are displeased, I will go back.” Numbers 23:34 NIV. When you realize what you are doing – or failing to do – is wrong, stop doing so! You do not want the end of your life to be filled with painful regrets of important things left undone with eternal consequence.
The moment you are aware of God’s displeasure, turn around. Your righteous relationship with God as well as your personal and spiritual well-being may depend upon your doing what you left undone, or correcting what you did wrong. You should do so not out of fear of what God may do to you if you don’t; you do so out of love for God, with concern for the disappointment you would bring to God’s heart by failing to do so. Leave no unfinished business between you and God – or you and anyone else! “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Acts 24:16 NIV.
Here’s what the Bible says about unfinished business: “If you are standing before the altar, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember than someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. The come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matthew 5:23-24 NLT. Unfinished business with others can become unfinished business with God. Unfinished business could be as simple as – appreciation unspoken, a need ignored, respect not given, an honor not shown, a kindness unreturned, a wrong not forgotten, forgiveness not offered, a sin unconfessed, or obedience delayed. I have to stop writing; I have some unfinished business.
My prayer for you today is: keep short accounts of things to be done, or made right.