Finish Well

July 2, 2008

I’ve often heard it said that “it’s not how well you start but how you finish that counts.” For example, we have all heard of students that started poorly and finished well. Or, teams that struggled to find a way to win early in the season but finished strong. Who can forget the political journey of Abraham Lincoln to become our nations sixteenth President? Our Lord Jesus finished well. In His prayer in John 17 He said, “I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do.” (John 17:4 NAS) Finishing well is important; however, it is not common. I recall hearing an incredible story from Pastor John Bisagno that highlights this sad fact. At the end of his college days, he and all the young men who were graduating and entering the ministry decided they were going to pray for one another throughout their ministry. Pastor Bisagno had all of their names written on the inside cover of his Bible. There were 24 names on that list. Over the years he would hear of one of his friends who had dropped out of the ministry for various reasons and scratch through the name. When he retired as the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Houston, of the original 24 names there were only two names beside Bisagno’s left in the ministry. You see, how you finish is what counts but sadly most do not finish well.

Why do you think that is? It is certainly worth consideration. In fact it’s worthy of some serious investment of thought and prayer. Here is a challenge for you. Why not find a quite spot and think through this one. Using your Bible and a note pad, why not write out a “My Plan to Finish Well” strategy. If it’s not too personal I would love to read about your strategy. You could email it to me at chuck@woolseybaptist.org In the subject box, please put “My Plan to Finish Well” I will look forward to reading what you write. By the way, I will share more about this in my next blog.

Pastor Chuck