Are You Trying To Finish Well?

What does finishing life well mean to you? It’s one of my life’s missions.

I think most people want a full life. I love the verses speaking about King David: “He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.” — 1 Chronicles 29:28 (NIV)

Another similar verse speaking about Abraham: “Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.” — Genesis 25:8 (NIV)

Don’t most people want to live at a good old age, enjoying life, having loved ones close, and even having wealth and honor?

I think finishing well means something different to everyone. Some want to leave behind wealth, accomplishments, a successful career, or a good reputation.

But what about you? When your life comes to an end, what do you want to have accomplished, and what do you want to leave behind?

WHAT FINISHING WELL MEANS TO ME

Me? I want to share my mistakes, my sins, my failures, and even my successes. I want to share what God is still teaching me. How I’ve overcome hardships, what I’ve learned through difficult seasons, and the things I wish someone had told me earlier in life. Why? Because maybe something I’ve experienced can make life a little easier for someone else.

I don’t want to take my experiences to the grave. I want to give them away. My knowledge,my life journeys, the lessons I’ve learned, and even my assets. I want what God has entrusted to me to benefit someone else.

But more importantly, I want to honor God, honor Jesus Christ, listen to the Holy Spirit, and actually do what God calls me to do. I want to love others as myself, forgive more easily, become more patient, be less selfish, and keep getting stronger and better at those things until the day I die.

And I want to leave what I’ve learned behind for the next person who’s willing to listen, learn, and hopefully share what they’ve learned with someone else.

Please hear me on this. I’m not doing this perfect at all. But I’m trying. Some of it is cheesy and goofy, some silly to others, but at least I’m trying to love and share.

WHAT’S INFLUENCED ME

Today, I read something interesting at the very end of Paul’s letter to the Colossians:

“Tell Archippus, ‘Be sure to finish the work the Lord gave you.’” (Colossians 4:17 NCV)

Who was Archippus? We don’t know much about him. Paul also mentions him in Philemon 1:2, calling him a fellow soldier. He was apparently a Christian serving in the early church. We don’t know exactly what assignment God had given him, or why Paul felt the need to remind him to finish it.

But here’s what’s interesting. The original Greek word translated finish is plēroō, which means to fulfill, complete, or carry out fully. Paul wasn’t simply telling Archippus to stay busy or make it to the end of his life. He was telling him to fulfill the responsibility he had received from the Lord.

Think about that. God had given him something to do, and Paul was reminding him not to leave it unfinished. Are you trying to finish well?

I wonder how many of us have unfinished assignments from God. Someone we need to forgive. Someone we need to encourage. A relationship we need to work on. Wisdom we need to pass along. A sin we need to confess. Something God has been prompting us to do, but we keep putting it off.

WHAT HAPPENS AS WE AGE

First, not everyone is blessed to live an old life. However, as I’m growing older, I’m looking back over my life. And you know what I see? Start lines. Lots of them.

I see where I messed up, recognized it, repented, and drew a new starting line. I tried to finish well, but then I messed up again. So I drew another line. And another.

Some of those mistakes were painful. Some were embarrassing. Some hurt people I loved. But through God’s grace, I’ve kept learning, changing, and trying to become more like Christ.

And now, looking back, I can see all those lines. I’m still not where I want to be, but thank God, I’m not where I was. For me, that’s part of finishing well.

A CURRENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE

It’s not living a perfect life. It’s living a life of repentance, obedience, growth, and faithfulness to Jesus Christ. “It’s not letting who you were yesterday determine who you choose to be tomorrow.” It’s getting up, drawing another starting line when necessary, and continuing to follow Christ.

The Apostle Paul said something similar near the end of his own life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

That’s what I want to be able to say.

GOING FORWARD

I don’t know how much time I have left. Neither do you. But I do know this: As long as God gives me another day, He’s giving me another opportunity to be faithful with that day.

So here’s my question. Are you simply getting older, or are you actually growing? Are you holding on to everything you’ve learned, or are you giving it away? Are you repeating the same mistakes, or allowing God to change you?

And perhaps most importantly, are you doing the work God has given you to do? He does have a purpose for your life …

Because finishing well isn’t just about how you die. It’s about how you live between now and then.

And when my final day comes, I want to know that I didn’t just use up my years. I used them for something that mattered to God and to others.

LORD, help me finish this life well. Help me learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, share what You’ve taught me, and give away what You’ve entrusted to me. Help me love others better, listen to Your Holy Spirit, and faithfully finish the work You’ve given me. I’m not where I want to be, but thank You that I’m not where I was. Keep changing me, keep using me, and prepare me for eternity with You. IJNIP amen ♥️