Acts 20:24; Genesis 45:7

Recurrent Thought

God expects us to finish our race. In Christ, we have a formidable model

Every Vision demands fulfillment. When one begins a journey they aim to reach their destiny. As much as process is necessary, there is no glory in its purity, rigor, or length if one does not reach the end of the matter. Every race has a finish line. One major priority of Vision implementation is Finishing. Completion is critical aspect of any vision. Great is the end of the matter more than the beginning (Ecc.7:8). Two examples in scriptures demonstrate this well

• King Saul started well but finished poorly (1 Sam. 10:9–10 vs. 1 Sam. 31:4): while
• Paul began as a persecutor but finished as a faithful servant (2 Tim. 4:7–8).

The question is not only how we start, but how we finish. The Priority of Finishing or completing a Vision (a project) is a major priority in achieving vision and fulfilling purpose.

Everyone with a vision to impact society, are driven by a Priority to Finish the job. The truth, however, is that for bigger and trans-generational vision, all we do is to finish our part as we transfer it to other generations.

To Finish Well is a Mindset and a Priority that propels one to pursue our dreams with the end in mind. It is a consuming priority to complete our projects while at the same time we testify Christ’s grace until the end.

A Special Note to All

Although all Christ-devoted followers can’t be in clerical work, but all of team, whatever their earthly assignments, must aim to make the sharing of the Gospel of the Grace of God as their core undertaking (charge) in Life. Some like Apostle Peter are called to leave their nets and follow Christ, while others like Apostle Paul are called to pick their tents and follow him. The reality is that we are all called to follow and minister the Gospel of Christ to all humanity. When we speak of Finishing Well, we refer to you aiming to complete the work of God effectively whatever your earthly assignments

Joseph a Tent-Making Minister (Gen. 45:7)

Joseph’s dreams eventually happened. Despite the meandering road to the top, he became a person of influence honored by both his brothers and parents. He captured this aspect of serving the Kingdom of God wherever you are and in whatever profession you pursue. He summarized his assignment with this powerful statement: "God sent me ahead of you to keep you alive on the earth, and to save you all in a magnificent way (Gen 45:7  ISV). Like Joseph, whatever you pursue in life, don’t forget also the aspect of saving others with through the power of the Holy Spirit. As you pursue your dreams, let others find God’s salvation through you. The ladder of success of every Christ-devoted follower must lean against the Wall called the “Sharing the Gospel.”

We consider five elements in the Priority of Finishing Well 

1.Understand Your Course

• Every one of us run within our course, our path; therefore, know your course (assignment) well
• Fall in love with your assignment. The course is distinctly, and individually Yours!
• You are not running to compete with us. You are running to finish Your Course.
• The Goal is to reach the end, not to compete with others
• To Finish Well, is to Follow the Rules that govern your course (2 Tim 2:5)

Not all rules are favorable to you. 

2Tim. 2:5  An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 

2. Esteem Highly the task of Sharing the Gospel

• The Sharing of the Gospel, despite your profession, is your task.
• Re-assess how you view the work of Gospel sharing
• Paul says I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself in relation to sharing the Gospel.
• Unfortunately, a lot of us ignore, shun, reject or feel embarrassed to share the Gospel
• Paul says “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16)
• As you pursue your personal vision, Kingdom vision should not be left behind.
• The Lord blesses you to bless others; the Lord gifts you so that you are of value in the Kingdom.

3.Have a Consuming Desire to Finish Your God-given Assignment (Acts 20:24)

• Be a Finisher, and not a quitter. No matter the situation don’t quit!
• Finishing Well is founded on the commitment to complete the task.
• Keep the mindset of completion. Every achiever, is a finisher. Quitters don’t reach the finishing line
• Jesus is a finisher, that is why He is our example (Heb. 12:2)

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

4.Endure the Process (Heb. 12:1)

• Every Vision comes with its own challenges. Navigate them
• Press on to the Upward Call of God in Christ Jesus Philip 3:14 
• Only those who remain Steadfast in Trial get the crown. James 1:12
• Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
• Practice self-control intentionally so that you win. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.
• To Finish includes Fighting your way through wars
• 2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
• Run to finish. A Finisher runs to the finishing line
• Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Cor.  9:24-27).
• Endure with the eyes on the finishing line. Jesus endured the cross of the Joy of seating in the throne of God. There was a target.  Look at the end picture for inspiration. In Jesus we shall win

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Illustration of the John Stephen Akhwari, a Tanzanian Runner who finished the 1968 Marathon

5. Trust the Grace to Finish

       a.) The One who began in You, gives you Grace to Finish (Philip 1:6).

• Understand that those Visions, those dreams, God initiated them. He who began. . . He is faithful to hold you, he is faithful to bring you to the end
• Php 1:6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
• 1Th 5:24  He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

     b.)Know for a fact that it is not only your effort that pushes things in your life!

• .Php 2:13  for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

    c.) Finishing Well makes the Father Happy. He says well done good and faith servant . . . enter into the Joy of your master (Math. 25:23) Finishing glorifies the Father

Conclusion

• Run to Finish, God is propelling you