Begin with the end in mind

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the second habit that Steven Covey discusses is, "Begin with the end in mind." I appreciate Covey’s purposeful consideration of a long-term view on our decisions.
So often, in our spontaneous and immediate culture, we fail to look much beyond the immediate impact of our decisions. We often choose a course of action not in the context of a larger idea of what our life is about, but rather, we decide based on what is best in the moment.
YouTube, Facebook, text messaging, and a variety of other aspects of our current culture often seem to encourage us to say and do something that will bring immediate results and attention. How many hits will we get? How many people will “like” or comment on my post? How quickly will my text be answered? These are questions that often drive us today.
We could learn something from Covey’s focus on the beginning with the end in mind. But, this is not some new idea that comes out of the business world. There was another writer, Paul of Tarsus, who penned some similar thoughts a few thousand years ago.
The last document we still have that Paul wrote is what we call 2 Timothy. This is a letter that Paul wrote to his “son in the faith,” Timothy, near the end of Paul’s life. It included a number of words of wisdom to Paul’s student and friend.
Near the end of the letter, Paul said the following…
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (1 Timothy 4:6-8)
This was not some sudden realization that Paul experienced as he neared death. The good fight. The race. Keeping the faith. These were the end that Paul kept in mind from the beginning. They were markers that shaped his decisions throughout his life.
When Paul wrote these words to Timothy, he must have been reflecting back on the thirty or so years he had spent as a follower of Jesus. From the dusty Damascus road to his house arrest in Rome, Paul has lived a life of purpose and focus.
What words would you like to write in a letter at the end of your life? If you looked to the end of your life, what “I have…” statements would you want to make?
Life your life in such a way today, that those would be your words tomorrow and in the years to come.

shine!
Jason