Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

The Satisfaction of Being Thorough

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I HAVE JUST TAKEN MY Webster’s Dictionary off the shelf and looked up thorough. It means, “carried through to completion, careful about detail, complete in all respects.”

Thorough is my kind of word! I learned the importance of being thorough from my parents while growing up in south Texas. Most weren’t so fortunate.

Few people thoroughly finish what they start. I’m not suggesting a neurotic fanaticism of extreme, unpractical, and unbalanced preoccupation with only the details. Not the trees-in-the-forest syndrome. I’m talking about the rare but satisfying experience of carrying out a task to its completion—and doing it with excellence.

My wife and I often quote one of Solomon’s proverbs around our house when we finish a job thoroughly: “Desire accomplished is sweet to the soul” (Proverbs 13:19, KJV).

I find few other things in life more satisfying than completely finishing a task.

Here’s another proverb to consider: “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper” (Proverbs 13:4).

What are you waiting for?

Does your dining room need painting? Paint it—and do a thorough job! Does your garage need a thorough cleaning? How about your car? Clean it—this weekend! Does your spouse need some time away? Why not make the reservations today? (And pay close attention to the finer details!) Have you followed through on your commitment to spend time in the Word with the Savior? Return immediately. You’ll never regret it.

Ultimately, Jesus is our example. He “offered himself to God as a single sacrifice [that means thorough and complete] for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand” (Hebrews 10:12). He did what He came to do, then He sat down. Mission accomplished.

Aren’t you glad He thoroughly accomplished everything that was necessary for your salvation? Stop being satisfied with a half-hearted, incomplete approach to things you need to do! Shock those around you by thoroughly accomplishing that project you started.