A STRONG START ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH!

By Jose P. Orbe, Jr., joeorbe@adventist- pic.org

(From the homily delivered at PIC, June 15, 2007)

We all have come to church this day with one thing in common. Each of us—teacher, student, or even a parent, will START this month of June.

For freshmen, the month of June may mean new relationships: friends, roommates, etc.

Even for returning students, this month may mean a fresh start beginning with resolutions like, "I'll do it better this time." Among the optimistic parents, this month ushers hope when they wish that their students will do better this time. This church, PIC, is also off for a new start this month.

Books and records have to be closed to open new ones. But one thing that can't be separated from START is END. These two reckoning points are inseparable. Only God has been known to have no beginning and no end. From a human standpoint, everything that has beginnings must have endings.

My thoughts race. Is it possible to start right and end wrong? Or to start wrong and end right? Does it necessarily follow that when you start right, you would end right? Or when you start wrong you will end up wrong.

Have there been occasions in your life when you asked, "What happened, have I not started strong?" "Why did I end up this wretched way?" For lovers, "Where did I go wrong, what did I do to make her/him change mind?" What is even alarming is that even the Holy Book recorded men and women who "apparently" started right but ended wrong (cite examples).

Certainly, all starters want to end right. And the Scriptures have starting guides in order for men and women to finish right? Is it okay to do whatever one wishes to do after all the end justifies the mean? Do the Scriptures warrant this? What does the Bible have to offer? Are there indicators for a surefire great finish?

There are four (4) critical points we need to consider if we are to start and remain right with God. And all these four are anchored on the following biblical truths:
1. Only Jesus truly desires our happiness, and He is committed to perform or complete (finish) the good work He has started in us (Philippians 1.6).
2. Only by looking to Jesus can we start, endure, and finish the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12.1,2).

Often times it’s the look that makes the difference between failure and success. It’s not just how you would start this school year, it’s not how you will resolve to teach your students, and it’s not the ways you would apply to get your children achieve better in school, it’s not what you invest in a relationship or undertaking, a strong start isn’t enough to win the race.

Put on your thinking caps and consider this carefully. My finishing the race—my semester, my relationship, my undertaking, my work, my parenting, my job, etc… will be significantly dependent on my capability to keep my focus on Jesus. It’s in the “look unto Jesus” that will maintain my balance. Remember Peter who walked on the sea (relate the short story).

What does it mean to keep our eyes (our focus) on Jesus?

Study with me in Hebrews 12. There are four (4) critical points to consider.

To look unto Jesus means…
1. Recount the experiences of those of have completed the race ahead of us.
2. Resist the extraneous offers of this sinful world.
3. Run with endurance the race of life.
4. Reflect on the encouragements in the life of Jesus.

A prolific Christian writer once penned these words—
If you want to be distressed—look within
If you want to be defeated—look back
If you want to be distracted—look around
If you want to be dismayed—look ahead
If you want to be delivered—LOOK UP!

Think carefully. It’s not the strong start that will bring us to the finish line; it’s how we can keep our balance, our focus on Jesus. Remember, it’s Jesus who will complete the work He has begun. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is the Alpha & Omega. Those who remain in Him shall make it to the finish line and have eternal life (1John 2.24, 25).