Saturday, December 26, 2015

SOME THOUGHTS ON “FINISHING WELL”

We hear this term a lot, especially as we get older.

One temptation of those involved in ministry, working for Christian employer, or living in a Christian family, is to think that somehow that setting is more ideal & that they are less likely to experience the negative side of human behavior.

When we find out that Christian people are still imperfect, & when they fail to measure up to how we believe they should live, there is a big tendency to get cynical.

This temptation of skepticism usually grows over time. To finish well, we must learn to balance the ideal we desire with the reality we face every day. If we don’t, we will finish badly. We will expect the worst from people & will allow that cynicism to poison our relationships with people whom God has called us to influence toward His good purpose for their lives.
Actually, this on-going battle with cynicism can have a number of important benefits. 

First, it helps us to see ourselves & our own sins (grouchiness & impatience, for example) more clearly, showing us how dependent we are on God’s grace.

Second, it encourages us to pray for & encourage those who may be younger in the faith than we are.


Third, it can motivate us to believe that God is still at work in those He has in His wisdom & sovereignty brought into our lives.

Let's make it our goal to finish the year well, & to finish our lives well!

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