Strong Finishers vs. Weak Finishers
by Jonathan Daugherty
I like to start stuff. There is something thrilling to me about rolling up my sleeves and attacking a new problem or opportunity. Some of this passion is just part of my personality, but I think much of it is a fundamental attribute of humanity. It is ingrained into our being. Simply put, we like to start new things.
It's interesting to me that as much as I enjoy starting new projects, the thrill and enjoyment I experience from beginning something pales in comparison to the satisfaction of finishing. And not just finishing, but finishing well. There is a deep sense of fulfillment and, if I may be so bold to say, peace. I believe the desire to finish strong is as equally ingrained as our desire to start new things, it just isn't as easily exposed.
Let me give you some contrasting examples from the Bible of some people who represented strong finishers and those who displayed the all-too-familiar weak finishers.
Joseph was a strong finisher. He was the favorite son of Jacob, and this didn't go over well with his brothers. In fact, they plotted to kill him. But one of Joseph's brothers, Rueben, intervened and they instead sold him to some merchants who took him to Egypt. To make a long story short, while in Egypt Joseph was a slave, falsely accused of raping his master's wife, put in prison, and eventually elevated to prime minister over the entire country. Joseph was a strong finisher who kept faith that God was able to bring good out of everything bad in his life.
Job was another strong finisher. Here was a guy who God considered righteous, and He allowed Satan to test his resolve to the max. Job lost his wealth, his health, even all his children died. If anyone had reason to throw in the towel on faith, it was Job. But he didn't. He knew the importance of finishing strong. And he had a perspective on the goodness of God that allowed him to keep his faith when all those around him were spinning theories of absolute nonsense. Job said of God, "Though he slay me, yet I will hope in Him." Job finished strong in his faith, and God rewarded him more at the end of his life than at the beginning.
Another strong finisher was Paul. Now, unlike Joseph and Job, Paul didn't have a good start. In fact, Paul was a zealous leader against Christianity, even approving of the murder of followers of Jesus. But God stepped into Paul's life in a miraculous way that would change him forever. Jesus Himself confronted Paul on the road to Damascus and pulled the chair of pride out from under him. From that day forward Paul followed Christ with passion and purpose. Paul experienced the grace of God in such a profound way, and he learned that God is far more interested in where Paul was going than in where he had been.
Well, the Bible is not merely a compilation of "happy ending" stories. The Bible deals with real people, real life. This means there are a fair share of weak finishers as well. Let's take a look at just a couple.
Samson was a weak finisher. Easily fitting the description of a narcissistic sex addict, Samson had everything going for him from the time he was born. His birth was blessed by God, he was given a special gift of superhuman strength, and he had charisma that made him a natural leader. But he let his pride and addiction destroy it all.
Although Samson started life with everything he would need to succeed and live a life pleasing to God, he regularly chose to ignore God's Law and live for his own pleasure. Eventually, his sexual addiction caused him to be enslaved by his enemies, he lost his strength, and his eyes were gouged out. Although he did perform one final act of strength that destroyed many of his enemies, his end was a shameful display of a man full of potential, but ultimately a weak finisher.
Another weak finisher was Judas Iscariot. Judas was one of Jesus' twelve disciples. He was called out by Jesus Himself to follow him and be his friend. Judas was given an opportunity for salvation and an inheritance of glory in the presence of God. But Judas expected the Messiah to be different. He wanted a political leader that would overturn the government and free them from Roman oppression. During his time with Jesus, his heart turned cold and black and he ultimately betrayed Jesus by handing him over to be crucified. Judas' life ended by his own hand through suicide. Judas' was a weak finisher.
What about you? As you read about these men in the Bible, what could be said about your life? Are you like Joseph or Job, who took the wonderful promises of God and staked their life on them to become men who displayed courage and endurance? Or is your life turning out more like Samson or Judas, focusing solely on your own pleasure or agenda, neglecting the boundless blessings of God being offered?
I pray that during this Christmas season you would reflect on the goodness of God and strive to someday echo the words of Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." If you pursue such a goal, your reward will be great when the Savior of the world cups your face in His hands and states, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Be a strong finisher!
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