Closure

Hey have you ever heard the beginning of a story but somehow never made it to the ending? Some time goes by, and you forget about it, maybe you get busy doing something else, but one day, the story comes back to your mind and you’re itching to figure out the ending.

Do you know what I’m talking about?

I got to thinking about that last night. A friend emailed me to ask about a story I began as an illustration, but forgot to follow up with an ending. The truth is that I didn’t know the ending when I began the story, and just assumed everyone forgot about it.

I hate it when that happens. I like to tie every loose string, and to close every open door. I like circles to be complete, and everything to be packaged up really nicely, the clothes put in their proper place, and the trash taken out on time. I like to be organized and informed.

Life isn’t always that way, is it? I’d venture to bet that most of you have some situation in your life that was opened up some time ago but you’re still waiting to see how it will end.

Closure. Everyone wants closure. You were in a relationship that ended, but you still don’t know what really happened to lead to that. You were in a job that fizzled, and you’d kill to have one last conversation with the manager. You sent the check, but never got the package you ordered. You started a project, and it’s still sitting in that drawer you try to never open.

You prayed a prayer a million times, and you’ve gotten no answers, no let up, no outcome, no closure. You’re still waiting for the end of your story. You’re still wondering how all of the details will somehow fall into the right place. You need closure and God is not cooperating.

I find that in my life, I want closure now, and I want to put my 2 cents worth to the ending. But it doesn’t work that way, does it? Meanwhile, I’m waiting, and wondering, and often worrying.

If you’re in need of closure, let me encourage you with this reminder from the book of Revelation. Several times throughout Revelation, we are reminded that God is “the first and the last”. In Revelation 22:13 it says “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

He knows the end of your story, even though you don’t yet. He already has the right answers, He already knows the way. As if that’s not enough, He provides reassurance in Jeremiah 29:11 when He says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

He knows the way. He knows the ups and downs of your path, He already knows how your aunt will respond to you at Christmas, and when your boyfriend will ask you to marry him. He knows it all. He knows where you will retire, and what your blood sugar will be when you’re sixty. He knows your good decisions and your bad ones. He knows your secret fears and your hidden worries. He knows it all.

And He still loves you.

Is that closure enough for you today?

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