I’d like to share my personal mission statement with you. It is simple so I can remember it, but the concepts are powerful, and most importantly—biblical. These four simple statements guide my choices, outlook, plans, and focus. Perhaps they will encourage you as you read them.
Follow God.
Love people.
Live fully.
Finish Strong.
Those simple statements—in the context of biblical priorities and devotion to Christ—guide everything I do. I don’t do them perfectly or even consistently, but they guide me nonetheless. They are reminders of my calling and my growth. The guide my next steps as a disciple of Christ and they help keep me on track. Here’s why I share them. Do the first three phrases matter much if we neglect the fourth?
Whatever you personal mission statement or guiding life verse might be—what does it matter if you don’t finish strong? How many ministries, marriages, careers, and relationships have you seen fail after appearing successful at the first three?
What difference do the first three statements make if our legacy is ruined by moral compromise, worldly endeavors, or any other temporary thing? Or, as Jesus so aptly put it in Matthew 16:26, “What good will if be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
In the context of finishing strong I might ask a similar question. What good will our life’s work be if we throw it all way for stupid temporary things? My fellow Christian, I know you are tired and weary at times. But, if there’s one thing we can learn from this chronological study of prophecy is that God is a promise-keeper. Every single thing that He has said our future will hold will come to pass exactly as God has promised you. Keep fighting. Keep putting your oxygen mask on. Keep giving others oxygen. Most importantly—finish strong! Jesus is coming soon and his reward is with him!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
—Hebrews 12:1-3
This post has been adapted from my book, The Chronological Guide to Bible Prophecy.