Finishing

I have been thinking a lot lately about "finishing."

When I was in high shool I played on our school's football team that was said to have a very bad year because of our lack of size and ability. We went into the season with a chip on our shoulder. Prior to any games our own sports writer was saying he saw a dismasal season approaching for the Bulldogs.

Something that defines a great team is the their ability to finish. A team can play a great game and overpower their apponent but not finish and end up losing the game. Something that we did well as the "underdog's" in high school was finishing. Going in with a chip on our shoulder to "prove everyone wrong" and be able to use what we knew we had. We were fast, angry, strong, and far better than the credit we were given. The fact that we finished well set the tone for a history of winning and further undefeated seasons with many appearances in the state playoffs not to metion a span of ten straight years as being District and Conference Champions.

In College I was part of a team for the first three years who would dominate most every game but did not finish. It takes the hole team to finish the game and have a "W." The same is with the NFL. My favorite team tends to start slow and finish well (exept in two losses this season).

The same is true in life. I have wanted to leave things unfinished. I have wanted to walk off the job that has been a great blessing in my life because of two bad days. I finish most everything I start. I am someone who was raised to not quit anything. In fact, the only time I have quit anything in my life I regret because I was young and immature and allowed my anger to control me.

The ability to finish gives us the ability for the most success. Finishing is the a powerful tool if used correctly. Being ruled by our thoughts and emotions only sets us back and allows us to justify quitting and not finishing. I have to make a real effort to tell myself to finish when things get hard. What is the over all goal? What do I need to do to meet my responsibilities? How do I provide for my wife and kids, what example am I setting?

I want my children and the youth I serve in work and in ministry to see a man who finishes no matter how hard things get.

Are you finishing?


Blessings,
Mike III AKA Big Daddy