Finish Well #2

            When in seminary one of my professors said something that surprised and disappointed me.  He indicated, that if statistics held true, less than half of us in that classroom would serve in the ministry until retirement. He was right.  Fewer than half of my seminary classmates remain active in their calling today.

            Here’s the deal. I understand why it happens.  Many of you do as well.  Serving in the church, whether as pastor, deacon, Sunday school teacher, or any other capacity, can be downright difficult.  The work is hard, and often people are not grateful for the efforts you make. Sometimes they ignore the advice offered. Sometimes being in ministry hurts.

            I’m not throwing a pity party. This is not exclusive to pastors. There are times when we hurt each other, even in the church. And there is that ever-present temptation to do that which we think will bring peace. Just quit.

            Can I encourage you to keep going? My professor used a phrase that I have remembered ever since to describe his desire for his life. He simply said, “I want to finish well.”  I was 23-years old at the time, just getting started. I was excited about the journey, and had no idea what that meant.  Almost forty years later I get it.

            The fact is that I probably have ten or fewer years left in active service as a pastor.  God has blessed in so many ways in my ministry.  There have been buildings built and programs started. But the greatest part of the journey has been to see the lives of people changed and challenged along the way. 

Still, there have been days when I wanted to quit.  One too many critic, one too long committee meeting, one too many deaths.  The temptation to quit always lingers. Still that thought that remains in my mind. “I want to finish well.”

            The apostle Paul put it this way in the last letter he wrote to Timothy. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  He went on to say that a reward was awaiting him. 

            That same reward awaits you and me. Keep going. Don’t give up. Don’t quit.  Fight the fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.  God is with you. He will keep you. Count on it.