There are many things I can finish well.
A icing laden cupcake, a lovingly cooked dinner or an exciting conversation. But some things challenge my attention span - such as a good film watched on the sofa when sleepy. I trail off! My initial excitement and intentions fade as drowsiness takes over. The film turns into a hazy blur of confused plot lines and garbled voices.
Sometimes it's not easy to finish well.
I am in-between seasons. Many of you are too. Years of working in advertising is giving way to church based pastoral and student work as well as seeing more Psychotherapy clients. It's happening quickly! I don't know what my life is going to look like in two weeks, but I know it will look totally different and I'm excited. Perhaps for you, uni ends and job hunting begins. Or maybe you are moving out of halls and into a shared house. It could be that summer has sparked a change of seasons for you - you know you are on the edge of something new.
In 2 Timothy 4:7 he writes (ESV) 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith'. Finishing well was important to him, and it should be important to us.
Imagine if the train driver lost attention once he knew he was close to the final station, or if the Olympic runner slowed as he saw the finishing line. Imagine if Jesus had lost interest in completing the work he was called to do. The final push can make all the difference. I remember handing my notice in to a job I was really unhappy in - I wanted to leave. The end date was in sight and the temptation was to check out... so I gave in and left mentally long before I walked out the building for the last time. I didn't finish well.
Be prayerful about endings, don't leave them covered in dust as you race away to the next stage. Here are some of my top tips for ending well:
- End thoughtfully. Take time to look at the last season and reflect. What has happened? How have you changed? What would you have done differently? What have you learnt? What do you know of God that you didn't before?
- Be reminded that this season is part of a bigger picture - both of your life and of God's plan for his people. Be heavenly focussed and remember who it's all about. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) 'So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God'
- Don't be ruled by your emotions - for they are changeable and fickle! When facing a new season we can experience a range of emotions from fear to excitement. Stand in the promises of God - he has gone ahead, he is trustworthy. Proverbs 22:19 (NLT) 'I am teaching you today, yes - you, so that you will trust in the Lord'
- Be accountable and intentional both about leaving and beginning. Ask others to stand alongside you as you go through change - it can be uncomfortable. Don't do it alone! Spend time with God seeking his heart in this new season
- Don't sever ties! Say goodbye to people, celebrate! Don't just rush off no matter how difficult things had gotten. End lovingly for you never know when God might call you into contact with people and places again!