I love the coming of the new year. The opportunity for new beginnings brings new energy and excitement. The past is forgotten and there is hope that the future would be better. However, I have realized that how I feel about my year has a lot to do with what I think I have accomplished. A cycle of new beginnings simply become empty and boring when not accompanied by great endings. I’ve concluded that while beginnings are important, it was the great endings that determined fulfillment and success.

Take the lives of Judas Iscariot and Saul of Tarsus. Judas had a great beginning as a disciple and was given the important role of treasurer (John 13:29). But it was not this great beginning that defined his life but his tragic ending – betraying Jesus. You would hardly hear of pf any parent naming their son Judas in honor of this apostle! On the other hand, there is Saul of Tarsus. His beginning? He masterminded the persecution of the early church. He stood in approval as the first martyr was being stoned to death. But this awful beginning was quickly overshadowed by his commitment to the Gospel and eventual ending as “apostle to the Gentiles”. Toward the end of his life, he wrote these famous words…

“I have fought the good fight,

I have finished the race,

I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7, NIV)

God is in the ministry of writing great endings! Our beginnings may be riddled with failures, mistakes and sin. The good news is these do not have to define us or our lives. I encourage you today, as we begin the new year, to take that first step in cooperating with God. He is not only the author of new beginnings, but most of all, He is the master of great endings.

#beginnings #new #endings