From Start 2 Finish

Let me say this, first and foremost...

I can't thank each and every one of you enough, for storming heaven and continuing to do so, for my friend Stephanie and her family during this battle with cancer for her life. I am humbled by the number of visits, likes and shares as well as the compliments, for writing the sentiments we all share. It was clearly God, as tons more people have much closer relationships and friendships with her than I. That said, it was a banner day for the website and I can only hope that for as many read Bring Me 70 on Saturday for a friend in need, just as many and more will join in storming heaven as Pastors fight against burnout... a fight in which many lives also hang in the balance.

However, in the midst of such difficult circumstance, life continues to move; even when more pressing and eternal matters weigh on our minds and sadness encroaches our hearts. As such, I pretty much went all day not knowing... yes, again... what was in store for #effectiveSunday.

Then, later in the evening, as I pondered how much had been accomplished at our place in the prior 24 hours, as my wife and I finally got around to getting some items checked off the list that we had, quite frankly, been procrastinating about, I came to this simple, yet somehow profound realization. Not new... more like an "interesting how that works" moment, knowing in the back of my mind, there's also no other way for it to work.  So what's the realization, already?

You can't be efficient at anything that you don't start.
You won't know how effective you are at anything that you don't finish.

Measurements require movement and incomplete measurements don't really do much good at shining light on a picture that has yet to be finalized.

So...
... it is worthwhile to take a good look at the things one wishes to accomplish.
... it is worthwhile to establish some groundwork as to how you will proceed
... it is worthwhile to identify the goal-line.
... it is worthwhile to count the cost and weigh the risks
... it is worthwhile, before starting out, to determine your commitment level.

Commitment is practically a binary word. Partially-committed sounds like an oxymoron!

As I pointed out last night on a social media conversation, God wasn't partially-committed in His plan to send His Son, in order to bring humanity back into right relationship with Him. Nor, did Christ accept the suggestion to call in the angels to pull Him off the Cross. Both God and Christ were committed to the end.

Consider Jesus ministry:

Start to finish in just three years? Efficient
Forever changing the world? Effective

Pray, this #effectiveSunday, that the church and it's leadership would commit to prayer, what God has in store for them and the vision and plan He has for them to accomplish. Pray for sound, Biblical, responsible groundwork to be laid as game-plans and expectations are formulated and cast. Pray for big goal-lines; that stretch one's faith; that rely soley on God, may His will be revealed. Pray the church heed the wisdom of counting costs and considering risks. May their resolve be strong, as their faith is fortified... that God doesn't give more than we can hanlle; that He does equip those He calls, not based on what they bring to the table but what God can accomplish through those whose are remain fixed on Him. The author and finisher of our faith desires that we not only start that which He has planned for our lives, but more importantly, that we finish strong.

For the glory of God. For the cause of Jesus Christ. For the joy and the reward to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant".

- PNC

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