Unfinished Business

The prayer came from my friend, Harold Bussell. We served together at Gordon College. Harold was Dean of the Chapel for several years, and I served with him, as the Assistant Chaplain, for three years. Then joined the staff at Grace Chapel, as Director of Women's Ministries.

Some of you know the Bussells from Gordon College, others from when Harold was the pastor of Hamilton Congregational Church, then the pastor of El Montecito Presbyterian Church in California. Our friendship goes back to 1976, when we both came to Gordon College.

As newcomers, we shared our first Easter together in 1977. Carol's bunny cake was a favorite with our children. So, back to Harold's prayer, written several years ago. It grew from reflecting on these words, "It is finished!", the sixth of the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the cross.(John 19:30 NLT)

While Jesus, the Christ, finished what his Father sent him to do, many of us struggle with unfinished business. And Harold's prayer speaks to that need. Remember that Good Friday looked like an epic failure to the followers of Jesus.

The hoped for Messiah hung on a cross. Dead to the world. Or so it seemed. The plotters clucked over their success. Some who stuck around, slapped each other on the back, when Jesus struggled to breathe and coughed out, "It is finished!" But, God wasn't finished with them. Nor with the rest of us. Love doesn't give up.

God's full of surprises, though not the kind some wanted. Christ's followers felt like losers in a mob of winners. But not for long. Sunday showed up, along with Jesus. Alive! But back to Friday, even on the cross, Jesus tossed out a life line, scented with hope. Imagine hearing words, laden with grace, mercy and love, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 NIV)

So, lets consider the unfinished business in our lives. God is always open for business. And our stories and scars touch the heart of Jesus. Your unfinished business. Mine. Theirs. So fear not. Trust Jesus. Our prayers matter to God. So do you.

Prayer by Harold Bussell

"Lord, you said on the cross, 'It is finished!' And because of that, I come to you knowing your love and grace for me frees me to be honest with you and admit it is not finished in my life."

"It is not finished until the public and private faces of my troubled Christianity can meet and know they recognize each other when they meet because of your grace. It is not finished until I recognize that any darkness in me cannot overcome you."

"It is not finished until the gardener, the house cleaner, and the waiter at the restaurant mean more to me than I do to myself. Show me, Lord, any arrogance I need to repent of."

"It is not finished until I love my enemies and pray for those who have spitefully used me. It is not finished until I weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. It is not finished until I can say, 'Forgive me, I was wrong.' It is not finished until my language is under the power of your Holy Spirit. I confess to you, Lord, my need for your divine Love to help me do this."

"It is not finished until I embrace the message of your pain-filled eyes and that I must care for and love the ones you loved and left behind to live with me as my responsibility to care for and serve. It is not finished until I am kind, forgiving and tender with people. Lord, in your mercy, hear my prayer."

"It is not finished until I have taken my certainties and insights, which I have used as weapons to put down others and surrendered them at your injured feet. I do that now in my mind and heart." Amen

May God bless you, dear family and friends, with Easter Joy, Holy Hope and finished business.

Me, too.