Finishing Well

Finishing Well

 

You and I are about to cross the 2014 finish line.

Evaluating how well you finished this year

could make a big difference in

2015, my friend.

One of the best feelings a person can have

is the feeling of finishing well.

To complete a project and have that sense

of accomplishment is hard to beat.

I am always looking for results.

I have preached to my kids and others…

“Don’t give me excuses - give me results.”

Results matters!

Albert Einstein gave insanity this definition…

“Doing the same thing over and over again

and expecting different results.”

It has been my practice to take the last week

of the year to see how I finished.

In prayerful thought, I reflect on the events

of my life over the last 12 months.

On the one hand,

I like some of the accomplishments I see.

But on the other hand - I see “insanity”.

Someone once said…

 “A rut is a grave with the ends knocked out of it.”

So as I finish 2014,

I want to celebrate where I have finished well

and make the changes in the areas

where I am not getting results.

Everything in life has parts.

Our lives are divided into years, months,

weeks, days, hours, and minutes.

It is the honest evaluations

at these points that help us to finish well.

Apostle Paul after reflecting on his life said…

“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.”

If we would evaluate Paul’s life,

we would have to say

the circumstances of his life were hard.

The focus of the circumstances

could lead to a sense of feeling

sorry for ourselves.

But an honest evaluation of how we fought hard,

didn’t give up, and in the end still had faith

will give us the best results.

 January 1, 2015, will not give you a new start.

But an honest evaluating of 2014

will help you to finish life well.

Scripture Reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV

6 For I am already being poured out

like a drink offering,

and the time has come

for my departure.

7 I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.

8 Now there is in store for me

the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord,

the righteous Judge,

will award to me on that day

— and not only to me,

but also to all who have longed

                                                                   for his appearing.