The Author and Finisher of Our Faith

BY: Sara Hagman

November 1st marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is event for those of us who not only crazy enough to be writers, but also crazy enough to try to write 50,000 words in 30 days.

I’ve made the attempt a few times, but never actually managed the 50,000-word goal. Regardless, I always make impressive progress on whatever I’m writing and come away with new or closer friendships as I give and receive support from my fellow writers. These insane sprints have given me the discipline and endurance in my writing, even if I don’t have quite enough yet to manage such a lofty goal.

Perhaps my experiences with writing are why I love the idea of Christ being “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-3).  The word “author” indicates ownership of a creative endeavor; it denotes hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and even some misunderstanding from others. Another definition suggests that authors are also originators, beginners, and creators.

Christ is all of these things. Our lives, our testimonies, our faith, are His creative endeavor. He lived a sinless life, and if that doesn’t require hard work and discipline, I don’t know what does. He also made the greatest sacrifice of all time, so that we can have purity and healing through Him. Jesus Christ is also an author because He created the earth. First-born of the Father, creator of the earth, cornerstone of our religion: it’s hard to think of a way that Christ is not an author.

And yet, unlike me, He is also a finisher. When I falter, when I discover my own efforts are not enough, Christ offers His matchless love to pull me through.  He has all wisdom and all power (Mosiah 4:9, emphasis added.) Through Him, I have hope, because He finished the work that Heavenly Father sent Him to the earth to do (John 17:4).

I know that we are not alone in our efforts to become like Christ. Our “sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and … our obviously limited capacities” are simply not enough (David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord”). But partnered with humility and our faith in Christ, we do have enough.

Because He is enough.