FINISHING WELL (2)

"...not how far, but how well". Borrowing from this aphorism might be a nice way of connecting our thoughts with the previous issue - FINISHING WELL (1). As this particular year winds up before our very eye, you may like to ask yourself, "How far have I gone?" "How well have I fared?" You will find out the different essence of the questions in your attempt answering it. I may ask this way, how far have you gone in pursuing your goals, and how well are your established in the attainment of your goals?

May be you heard of this, an athlete whose name I lost in memory represented his country in one of the past global sport fiesta. The runner commenced a race in the competition. O mine, he started well and strong and also ran far beyond his competitors. Along the line, he suffered a heavy fall that gave other racers the advantage to get ahead of him. While he struggled to get up and continue the race, he found out he was the only one left behind, yet he muscled strength from God knows where and continued the race (although not with the freshness at which he started). Even though, other had reached the finishing line, he still kept running until he reached the expected stop point (finishing line) for the race. I felt his persistence, determination or whatever you may call it amazed people such that he was asked why he continued having known he would end with no good position, more so, he was wounded and weak. I will try to paraphrase his quite thought provoking response, "I was not just sent to  get a good position but to represent my country well and that's what I did." To him finishing well was more important in representing his country well than taking a good position. Whatever the case might have been in the course of the year, forget them all, forget the position thing as well (it might be childish a times) and let's FINISH WELL.

It may appear to you that several people had gone far and fared well better than you might have considered of yourself in the race of the ending year; well you may be right in your reasoning but I like to say certainly not with faith. Scripture may help our understanding, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8). Beloved, I like to say, don't subscribe to the discouraging voice of your thoughts and sight sense, they are capable of keeping you passive. The truth that must be made clearly is; one, goals are different; while some might have made breathtaking and very tasking goals for themselves, others might have settled for goals with little or no challenge. Two, conditions for achieving set goals are not likewise similar, while some might have enjoyed favourable conditions, others might have encountered tough challenges. Three, to people, the meaning of goals attainment differs; while some consider themselves achieved in the premises of their goals, others would remain restless, resolute and resilient until their goals are pursed to the logical end of reality. Friend, I think you should now be persuaded beyond doubts that goals differ...then, why the carnal comparison? Who said you are not finishing well, tell them to ask God. Silence that negative voice of unsatisfactoriness and confess loudly, "I AM FINISHING WELL and I HAVE FINISHED WELL!" Accept my Congratulations.

Let me drop this as I conclude this to continue on the final issue -FINISHING WELL (3), I hope you know the same way you have goals of yourself for this closing year, God has His own goals for you as well. "For my thoughts[visions, desires, ambitions] are not your thoughts, neither are your ways[goals, plans, intents] my ways, saith the LORD."  Have you taken time to ask God how far you have gone and fared on His goals for you in the closing year? Get this clear, if you have fulfilled Heaven's goals for the year, you are much better that those who will simply measure their attainments on the mundane.

Keep the PUSH and let's FINISH WELL.

Times_Of_Restoration_And_Refreshing

ADEBILE, Oluwaseyi Paul

seyiadebile.blogspot.com