Starting with the end in mind

It feels as though the phrase, "start with the end in mind", has followed me for years, however, the wisdom of it is truly just sinking in for me. It seems simple. How many situations, events or daily appointments do we face with the end already in mind? Grocery shopping, checklists, yard work, letter writing, road trips, interviews, appointments, staff meetings...the list is varied and long. We typically move forward toward a specific goal or result, and make lists, jot notes on sticky pads, set alarms, and request follow-up phone calls or emails to ensure we stay on track and feel a sense of satisfaction when we're accomplished the "end".

I recently read a quote in Francis Chan's book, "Crazy Love", that caused me to look at the admonition to "start with the end in mind" through a different light.

"Our greatest fear as individuals and as the church should not be failure, but succeeding at things that don't matter." Tim Kizziar

Take a second and let it sink in. I had a stop reading the book for a little while when I first read this quote from Tim Kizziar, a pastor at Sisters Community Church in Sisters, OK.

Why do we start with the end in mind? To ensure success at a task. To guarantee an efficient use of energy and resources. To prioritize efforts. To see goals accomplished. Grand reasons, one and all, but what is the value of this type of success? Mr. Kizziar's statement is not intended to push us away from success, but to guide toward the right kind of success. What eternal value is in success by promotions, pay raises, upgrading neighborhoods and cars, or maintaining a certain social or professional circles? Or even accomplishing a checklist? There are many people who are specifically blessed to be financially successful to fund the Great Commission and invest in the Kingdom of God, there are those who are called to work full time in the efforts toward the Great Commission beyond our neighborhoods and familiar streets - yet the things that matter should be the same for both groups of people. Loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people.

Mike and I recently attended a memorial service for one of the directors at Military Ministry who passed away and went home to Jesus last week. I was struck by how well he lived his life, and what a legacy it proved. Paul lived his life in such a way that he truly succeeded in the things that should matter most - loving God, obedience to Him, and loving people. Each person who spoke, echoed how well Paul lived and that his legacy was of loving well. Rather than a sorrowful service, this memorial was lively and full of praise to the Lord. I left drawing closer to God and praising Him for what He did through Paul, and also wondering how well I'm doing at succeeding at things that matter. For years I pushed on driven by deadlines, checklists, and chains of command, and having been newly reminded of the temporary nature of most of it I'm spending a little time reconsidering these things.

It doesn't mean I'm throwing away my calendars and notepads, but it does mean I'm working to hold them lightly and sensitively so I can be open to the prompting of the Spirit to work without them from time to time.

What about you? Have you taken time recently to consider your drive for success and its motivations? Perhaps it is time to let the Spirit also prompt you to new direction.