Finishing Well!
When you come to the end of your earthly journey, what monuments shall you leave behind to impact others? How many altars shall you have erected to celebrate God’s goodness in your lifetime? Will you have fruit to show or only leaves to display?
These questions are raised because God places His human creatures on earth for a variety of reasons, with each individual wired uniquely to fulfill His divine purpose. In addition to glorifying God and enjoying Him forever, three actions are expected of everyone: to make decisions, to make progress, and to make a difference. For each of these, anyone may tap into God’s unlimited resources!
Obviously, this is not what appears in the report card at the conclusion of a person’s earthly pilgrimage. Many people go through life in its entirety without being able to make any meaningful decision, and several who attempt it, often do it wrongly. Quite a few are incapable of making progress in any direction, about anything. And making a difference is something which not many consider, and fewer yet make it real!
All humans are called upon to travel in the path where God has placed each. But since humans are social creatures, their paths always intersect with those of others, so that experiences may be shared, examples may be emulated, and mutual encouragement exchanged. Yet, God alone has the right prescription, and will have the last word!
God promises to undergird any activity for which proper planning occurs at every step of the way. Any period of glory is not guaranteed to be maintained indefinitely; past achievements are not necessarily today’s reality, much less tomorrow’s performance.
One needs to make provisions for the continuing success of any enterprise, since one may be taken away from its production and command at any time.
Many stop at peak performance and, then, reach a plateau from which a decline can easily emerge. In my lifetime I have repeatedly observed how many individuals quickly descended from hero to zero; they lacked staying power, many were devoid of a moral compass, with several also destitute of common sense, people skills, and the additional resources which ensure victory at the finish line.
Throughout life, gains do not necessarily define you, just as losses should not diminish you. The essential factor is to know who you are, with all the assets and limitations which every individual displays; to understand the will of God, and fulfill it with the enablement He Himself provides; to recognize barriers not as the end of the line, but merely as signposts to better things still ahead if you proceed amidst all challenges!
God’s “well-done” will be declared to those who did well until the end, not merely at previous stages of one’s journey. With His help now, and always, you can do it! He is more interested in your consistency than just an occasional success which may be only for the moment. Follow this advice I once read: “Do the very best you can with what you have, where you are now!” God will do the rest to ensure triumph at last!
July 20th, 2007 at 10:19 am
Dear Synésio,
Brilliant text!! You continue to reveal great ability to write in an organized and meaningful manner. Your thoughts and ideas are inspiring, full of life meaning and insightfulness. Thanks, again, for inspiring us!!!