“It’s not how you started. It’s how you finish.”

-Uncertain Origin

Almost everyone had a rocky start. Parents are usually very young and poorly trained, yet their assignment was to show, teach, and guide you. Parents shaped your self-view, relationship skills, and work ethic. You were trained by experiences and living through their story.

Example

“My father loved to do things fast. His favorite saying was, ‘Hurry up!’ He was the master of fast. He was not very good at slowing down. The rule of fast is written deep in my soul. Slow is bad. Fast is good. I get small work projects done faster than most people. When things move slowly or bog down, I get restless.”

Your Assignment

Remember, “It’s not how you started. It’s how you finish.” As you go through life you have three assignments:

1. Work on developing skills you never learned in early life.
   • In my case it was to learn the beauty of going slow and deep.
2. Grow deep relationship connections.
   • It’s okay to start with weak relationship skills. As you grow, learn new and better ways to connect with others.
3. Live the big God story. Train with the Holy Spirit and model your life after Jesus.

Close

• “It’s not how you started. It’s how you finish.”
• Always work on growth in the three areas above and you will finish strong.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your vision and leadership. I submit to you and your training. Your ways are better than my ways. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)