December 31-Finishing Well

The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than arrogance of spirit.”

—Ecclesiastes 7:8

This may be an odd verse to ponder at the end of the year when everyone is excitedly thinking of new beginnings and New Year’s resolutions, but it’s important to consider—how will we finish what we begin (Luke 14:27–33)?

Because anyone can start. We see it all the time—launching a new endeavor, pursuing a shiny goal—the enthralling rush that accompanies all the plans we make.

It’s the same feeling that accompanies young love, which often fizzles as the thrill fades, the difficulties arise, and reality sets in.

I’m afraid we frequently do this in our faith life. I read something that said there was “nothing like” those first days of following Jesus, but this is not how it should be. The end should be better than the beginning.

If we expect those early thrills to carry us through, we will not make it.

We should always be growing in the Spirit, and our love for Christ should deepen in the way the committed love of a marriage deepens as the years go on, even when the flutters have ceased and the trials of life are in full force.

We often begin with arrogance and naivety, but we can only complete with patience, perseverance, and dedication.

We must commit to the long–term rewards instead of the short, to showing up even when we don’t feel like it, and to persevering even when we’re exhausted.

Let us be people who do not begin in arrogance, but who plan and commit to doing what it takes to finish well, both in faith and in life.

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