The End

Two words.  They can leave us satisfied or wanting more.  Sometimes you might even be overjoyed to come to the end.  We might get to the end of a good movie and feel satisfied.   We might get to the end of a good lasagna and want more.  Or we might get to the end of a grueling backpack trip or an off-key rendition of a song and be overjoyed that it is the end.  Some have even expressed they were glad when I came to the end of a sermon.   But no matter what you are talking about, when you get to the end...that's it.  It's the end.  So whether your satisfied or wanting more or overjoyed or relieved,  really depends on where you are and what you are doing and how you feel about it when the end comes.

We all have times when the end comes and we are sad.  The end of high school.  The end of a favorite childhood dream.  The end of childhood innocence. (...and naptimes.)  The end of a job that you like.   When the end comes--that's it.  And transitions leave us just a bit unsettled.

Sometimes when the end comes, we are more ready for it.  We are anxious to move on.  Like the end of high school.  Or College.  Or a job we hate.  And suddenly we find ourselves again in transition.  Even there though, the transitions can still be unsettling. 

A few weeks ago, my uncle came to the end of his earthly journey.  And the next week, a very dear friend also came to the end of his time on earth.  And the interesting thing is, when one comes to the end, there is only a split second between life and death.  One second they are alive-the next, they aren't.  And for those left behind,  life is also split in two.  Before that moment and after that moment.  They will never be the same.  They came to the end with their loved one and then they entered the transition from normal to chaos and eventually they will come to a new normal.

But now you and I (as well as the rest of the world) are coming to another end.  The end of a year.  Some will be relieved.  Some sad.  Some overjoyed.  Some wanting more.  Your reaction to it will depend on what type of year you have had.  If you have had a great year, you probably hope things will continue on into the new year.  If you have had a bad year, you are probably looking forward to 2011 with renewed hope and higher expectations.

No matter what your view, this year will come to an end.  Gone. Behind you.  Receding into history.  It can never be lived over.  Mistakes can't be undone.  Words can't be unspoken.  And though relationships can mend over time, the damage that you cause will always leave a scar.  So the question comes: How did you live this year?  How did you respond to the good times?  What about the bad?  Did you meet them with an unshakable faith and determination to let God grow you through them or did you find yourself whining and complaining about all of your trials?  Did you grow more like Jesus in the way you learned to depend on the Father, or did you blame God and everyone around you for making you miserable?

The interesting thing about coming to the end of many things is that they often give you a chance at a new beginning.  Kindergarten ends and you move on to first grade.  Elementary ends and you start over in high school.  When that ends, you move on to a new start in college or you begin to pursue an occupation.  And the same thing happens with years.  When one ends, another starts, bringing with it a new chance to step up and meet the challenges with a new attitude and renewed determination.

As you face this new year, what things do you need to address in order to grow?  Where do you need God to step in and grow you?  What are some of your hopes, dreams and aspirations for this new year?  I'm not talking about New Year's Resolutions that won't make it past January 15.  I'm talking about real, deep, lasting life-change brought about by allowing the Spirit of God to work in and through you?  Will you grow this year?  Or will you come to the end of another year still hobbled by your habits, controlled by your lack of self-discipline, and unable to control your anger?

Here's the deal.  None of us can make decisions for the other--but I can make decisions for me.  And I want to grow.  By this time next year I want to be a better person.  I want to be a more Godly man.  I want Jesus to shine into and through me.  As I come to the end of this year, I want to leave my failures behind and press on towards my ultimate goal: knowing Jesus.   And I hope you do too, so that when the End comes and Jesus returns, you and I will together take the next natural step over the threshold of heaven into a brand new beginning.



May you have a blessed and hope-filled New Year.  And may God bless you real good!
The End. (at least for now)