Finish Strong

If you are like me, you may have set some goals at the beginning of this year and for some reason you have not achieved them.  I want to challenge you to take a look at some of your goals and be determined to finish strong this year.

As a leader, the most important types of goals you can set are those that relate to the people to which God has given you influence.  We can look at Jesus and how He lived out His final days on Earth in order to learn how to finish strong in our relationships.

3 Things we must have in order to Finish Strong:

1) Focus

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

Jesus was focused on His mission at hand.  Even though He knew He was going to face the most intense challenge any person could possibly face, He was focused on completing the mission His Father had given Him.  The reason He was so focused on completing His mission is because His mission centered on the ultimate act of serving people.

2) Forgiveness

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 22:34

As leaders, our goal should be to serve others and love them.  However, there are times in our lives that hurts can cause us to lose focus of the mission at hand.  In order to finish strong we must allow God to work through us by helping us forgive.  Jesus was able to forgive the men who were killing Him.  If He can do that, then we should take the step to forgive also.

3) Faithfulness

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Jesus’ last words to His disciples were words of faithfulness.  Jesus promised that despite what may happen He will be with them and help them.  In order to finish strong we must prove faithful first to God and then to those He has called us to lead.

As you commit to finish this year strong make sure that you are focused on your mission, forgiving of those who have hurt you and faithful to those you are leading. If you do these things then you will be a leader who finishes strong!

Think about it…

• Who do you need to reach out to before the end of this year?
• Who has God placed in your life that you need to forgive?
• What goals did God give you at the beginning of this year that you have not yet achieved?  Why have you not achieved them?  What can you do to finish strong?

Prayer point…

Ask God to help you recognize what has kept you from finishing strong in the relationships in which God has placed you as a leader.  Then ask Him to give you the ability to focus, forgive and be faithful so that you can finish strong just like Jesus did.