Part 5, Chapter 8
We are nearing the finish line of the book. We are about to finish, now is the time to finish strong. Finishing strong here will help us to prepare for the final finish of our lives. We want to go to Heaven, and we definitely don’t want to have any time in Purgatory. So finish strong and well.
“Humble yourself deeply before God” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 196) telling Him the progress that we have made is because of Him. God is the one who helps us and we cannot do anything without Him. Our progress might be small, but it is in the right direction which is toward the finish line.
“Promise to praise him forever for the graces he has granted to you, and because he has led you against your will to make even this small progress” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 197). No matter what our progress has been, or will be, we should praise Him. I think of some of the Saints who had all hell breaking loose and yet they were praising God. We should do the same.
“Ask forgiveness for the disloyalty and faithlessness with which you have answered him” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 197). We are not perfect, and our exam should have reminded us of that. Now is the time to say to God that we are sorry. Now is the time to ask His forgiveness and keep moving forward.
“Offer your whole heart to him that he alone may rule therein” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 197). God has given us our hearts, now we need to give them back to Him. By doing this we have to remember that God cannot be out done in generosity. We are to give Him our hearts and trust in Him.
“Ponder over the examples of the saints” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 197). We have so many Saints to look at. Their lives show us we can finish strong. They show us that we are to respond to His grace and live in His Will. All the Saints show us the way to get to our Heavenly finish line.