1Corithians 9v24-27: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus, not with uncertainty. Thus I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
I have been sharing with you about finishing strong or well. In whatever pursuit of life or endeavour that you might be involved in, you need to be a finisher! The Great Apostle Paul demonstrates this principle in his life. As you can see from our text scripture in (1Cor.9v24-27). He compares himself to a runner or boxer with the singular purpose of accomplishing his goals and hitting his targets! This is what God also expects of you and me. This is why you need to make finishing strongly one of your primary goals in life! So what does it take to finish strong? How can you finish whatever you might be doing on a strong note? This is what I will be sharing with you today! So are you ready? So here we go!
HOW TO FINISH STRONG:
1. Decide to finish well. Your decision will determine whether you will finish well or not. So have you made up your mind to finish strong? It is your decision that will determine your destiny or the outcome of what you are doing. A wise man once said success is someone who decided to succeed and it worked. A failure is someone who decides to succeed and wishes, while a decided failure is someone who fails to decide and waits. So are you working or wishing or waiting? This is why your decision plays a major role in accomplishing anything you are involved in. Your own decision, whether you know it or not, will ultimately work against you. So make up your mind to finish well. That should be your motivation and your decision and do not allow anything to dissuade you or move you away from your decision land, so stand by your decisions so that God can stand with you. I pray that this will be your testimony from henceforth in the name of Jesus (Ruth 1v16-17; Dan.1v8).
2. Desire to finish well. How strong is your desire? The stronger your desire to finish well, the greater your chances of finishing well and the weaker your desire to finish well, the slimmer your chances of finishing well. This is why you need to pay attention to your desires. Strong desires will produce strong results while weak desires will produce weak results; if you are going to finish whatever you are doing, you need to desire to finish well. It has to become your craving, longing if it’s going to really see the light of Day. Nobody accomplishes their destiny or hits their goals without having a strong desire in place. So get your desire in the right frame of mind so that you can end well (Matt.5v16; Lk.22v15).
3 Your Discipline. It takes discipline to accomplish your goals and to finish whatever task you are currently involved in. This is why you need to be disciplined in mind, body, and spirit to accomplish your goals and aspirations. If you look at the word discipline, you will appreciate why discipline is very important in finishing strongly. Discipline means training to ensure proper behaviour. It’s order and control or calm controlled behaviour. It’s a conscious control over your lifestyle. Discipline also means doing what you really don’t want to do so that you can do what you really want to do. Discipline is paying the price for the little things so that you can buy the bigger things in life. This is one of the things you need to consider if you are going to finish well. You see that in demonstration in the life of Apostle Paul in (1Corinthians 9v25), he uses the word temperate, which is an interesting word. That word means to exercise self-restraint in diet or chastity. This is another way of simply saying discipline in whatever you are doing. My dear brothers and sisters, if you are not disciplined in your actions, your mind and your body, you will not accomplish your targets, goals and aspirations in life. So it is time to embrace the culture of discipline if you really want to get to your destination in life.
4. Your determination. If you want to finish strong, you must not give up. Winners never quit, while quitters never win. Those who succeeded in finishing well were men and women who were determined in mind and in purpose. Elijah was determined that was why he obtained the double portion of the anointing (2ki.2v1-15). The Syrophoenician woman was also determined in her mind; that was why she got her daughter’s deliverance from the Lord Jesus (Matt.15v22-28). In fact, blind Bartimaeus is also another classic example of somebody who perspired and persevered until he obtained his miracle (Mk.10v46-52). My brothers and my sisters, if you are going to be a finisher, you must be the kind of person who does not easily give up. The word determination speaks of your resilience, perseverance and persistence. This is what it takes to be a finisher. Remember, it was by perseverance that the snail reached Noah’s ark. You must understand that success is 90 per cent sweat and 10 per cent talent. So you must be willing to work your socks and play your role very well if you arrive at your destination. The enemy will throw several things at you on your way, but you must remain resolute, and committed to your goals and aspirations; otherwise, it will not see the light of Day. Never say Never, this is the spirit with which you need to fight, and this is the mentality that will bring you into your destiny. I pray for you today that as you become resolute in your pursuit of your destiny you will arrive at your destination in the name of Jesus. It’s time to be a determined and committed follower of Jesus; this is how to finish well (Matt.10v22: 24v13).
Other Scriptural References: (Acts 11v23; Jam.1v8; Lk.9v62: 6v21; Ps.107v9: 63v1, 8; Pro.10v24: 23v18; Philp.3v14).
Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, please help and enable me to imbibe these habits into my operations so that I can finish well.
CONFESSION: I choose to finish well. Whatever I put my hands to, my decision is to be a finisher and not a quitter. I strongly desire to accomplish my goals and my aspirations in life. This is my longing and my craving and with a disciplined mind and body, I will arrive at my expected destination. I say no to every form of laziness and indiscipline and I embrace the Spirit of commitment and dedication to my goals and aspirations. I will never give up on my destiny and my purpose as I walk with the Lord and his spirit. I will arrive at my expected destination in life.
Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.
Amen