When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  John 19:30 NIV

I laid there on the court like a clubbed baby seal gasping for air, far from physical perfection.  The pain seared my arms, legs, and brain.  The perky Cross Fit trainer chick encouraged me to fight through the physical fatigue.

I considered not finishing the work out. My partner, a giant man-boy, got down on my level and cheered me on, “C’mon Robin, Remember me as a baby in a little cardboard box.  Do it for me!”

Laughter, snot, and tears erupted out of me.  Time slowed down.  Jesus whispered into my heart, “Robin, remember.  Alex and those like him are why you must do this.”

A Bible verse scrolled across my mental marquee,

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.  1 Corinthians 9:27-28 NIV

No stopping.  Finishing was the only choice.  The reason was standing in front of me.  Encapsulated in that 19 year old body was a dying soul that needed to witness someone being transformed.

Time sped back up.  I pushed myself to a plank position one last time and with renewed breath in my lungs I yelled, “Time!”

The work out of the day was a physical example of a spiritual truth.  In order to be transformed, perfection is not expected, but submission, focus, and perseverance are.

People are smothered and collapse under the weight of their own unrealistic expectations to be flawless.

According to Hebrews 12, “Jesus is the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith.” It doesn’t say “Robin and Jesus are.” It only says “Jesus is.” Jesus is the only way we can be made whole.

If we cannot be “perfect” and He has to perfect us; then what do we do? Good question.

• Submit to Jesus - 1 Corinthians 9:28 tells us “… strike a blow to my body and make it a slave.”
• Focus on Jesus - Look again at Hebrews for these verses, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith.”
• Finish Like Jesus - And “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

To transform one must submit, focus and finish.

• Submit yourself to God by praying.
• Focus on what Jesus says to you in this time.
• Finish like Jesus by doing what you hear Him say.

Father God, You have written on our hearts Your love and mercy.  Perfect them to look like Jesus’ humble heart.  May we open our hands and accept Your salvation as a gift.  May we submit every aspect of our life to Your Holy Spirit.  Let us fix our eyes on You, Jesus, so that we will not lose faith or grow weary.  Father, strengthen us so that we may we finish well like Your beloved Son, our Savior did.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Read I'd Rather See A Sermon by Edgar A. Guest

Listen to Perfect People sung by Natalie Grant