Allen used a powerful phrase on Sunday at Bedford. It was this: “Begin with the end in mind.” At first, this statement didn’t settle well with me. I am not ready to think about things ending. I don’t like to think about the day myself or my loved ones leave this earth. Yes, what a glorious day that will be, to see Jesus face to face. But selfishly, I don’t want to think about the life of this earth coming to an end.
But then I started REALLY thinking about it. And I started to realize this: the end is the reason for it all. The end is the reason for my beginning – for your beginning. Having the “end in mind” doesn’t mean that I sit around and think about death and fall into sadness and depression. It means I live a life that shows a great faith in God, knowing that the end means I will be with Him, forever. The end means better days. The end means no suffering or pain. Keeping the end in mind allows me to see around problems and struggles and see the hope on the other side. It allows me to see where God has been with me all along and continues to be. It shows me how and why to be a better friend, wife, mother, daughter, Christian.
Where do I choose for my beginning to end? Will I live in a way that I keep the end I want in mind – the end where I am in the presence of God?
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Keep the end in mind but don’t fear the end. Keep your eyes on Him.