“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT)
If you played sports at any level, perhaps you participated in competition with other teams and you got off to a great start. You were sizzling. But during the latter part of the game, sizzling turned to fizzing so bad that you lost the game. A great start was not enough. You need a great finish. It is not how you start. It’s how you finish.
In my first six weeks of high school, I missed 40% of my classes. Dad, Dean Donaldson, and disappointed friends warned me about the disastrous consequences of skipping classes, and some days, skipping out on school altogether. I had a bad start! But motivated by those who cared, I am finishing a whole lot better. For instance, I graduated from high school in 3 ½ years. I graduated from college in four years, earning a B.A. while working full-time with a B+ average. I earned my M.S. with a B+ average too, and I attained my Doctor of Theology Degree with an A average. I taught at three high schools, three colleges, and was named Adjunct Faculty Member of the year at a Division I School of Higher Education. In regards to academics, it was not how I started, but it was how I finished.
Before I let Christ have total control of my life, I had “some,” putting it mildly, some failings. I still do have them, just, like all of us who fall short of the glory of God. Just being transparent. But I have been pressing forward, forgetting what lies behind and striving to get better, not being satisfied with status quo. I have not attained the best that I can be yet. I’m still working on it and God is still working on me. He is still refining me! He is still reeling me up to place my feet on higher ground! He is still redoing me daily, just like I redecorate our house daily. Praise Him! Why? Because not only is He not done with me, but listen up! He is not done with you! He’s still working on you too! Remember: It’s not how you start! It’s how you finish!
If you are ever tempted to discontinue striving for better in any area, do as the songwriter said, “They said I wouldn’t make it. They said I would never amount to nothing. But I’m here today…and I want to say, ‘I’m still holding on!’” Yes! It’s not how you start! It’s how you finish!
Today, strive to do better than the yesterday. And the day after that, sustain the momentum toward, doing better than the day before, always working towards “better.” Repeat this process every day! Work toward finishing perpetually in this life, so that the Lord will meet you when this life is over with the welcome similar to the one contained in the closing verse. Have a fantastic Friday my friend! God is not done with you yet! Press on! Keep holding on! Be blessed!
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.”(Matthew 25:21 The Amplified Bible)
Mark L. King