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It feels like things are wrapping up. The school year is coming to close, spring is heating up into summer, and, in some states, ‘stay at home’ orders are being modified. Something about the season’s warmer evenings and sentimental undertone agrees with my heart, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Usually, the one thing standing between me and my summer bliss is finals week. While the world is incredibly different these days, my finals week still stands. To be very honest, I’m lacking the finals motivation I need. I’d like to spend this week cooped up in my room, watching The Office until finals are over. But I know that’s not an option.
We’re experiencing a strange blend between routine and never ending news. I’m not sure if you are taking your junior year finals right now, but I bet you’re dealing with some sort of conclusion. I bet you can think of at least one thing in your life that needs some tying together, some closure. I know there’s something, maybe finals week, maybe not, asking you to finish strong.
Finishing strong is the hardest part for me. I’ve been sprinting at my high school track lately, and those last few steps before I finish the sprint beg me to slow down. That’s kind of how I feel right now - it’s been such a strange season that everything in me wants to stop. I’m out of breath, tired, and ready to rest.
But despite my craving for numbness, something deep down in me knows I can’t give up yet. I owe it to myself to finish with all I have to offer. Even in fatigue, I know my life is worth more than giving up at the last minute. I hope you feel that, too. Our lives are too precious to spend coasting. We are worthy of finishing strong.
It’s okay if “all you’ve got” looks different in this season. Give yourself ample grace, but be mindful as you walk the line between self love and complacency. My productivity is not quite the same it would be sans pandemic, but one thing hasn’t changed. It is still within my power to try my very best. The story is not over, I can still finish strong. And so even when I feel like slowing down, I will put my whole heart into finishing what I’ve been called to do. I know you can do it, too.
Whatever you’re facing, I know you can finish strong. You’ve got it in you. Let this challenge expose all the perseverance and courage I know you’ve been storing up. You didn’t know it back then, but maybe you were preparing for such a time as this. Finish strong.