Mensa Otabil - A Glorious End
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Welcome to a brand new week and to our 15th day in Fresh Start. We’re going to look at Ecclesiastes chapter 7, verse number 8: «The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.» This is practical wisdom on how we should look at life, how we should consider our endeavors, and how we should approach what we do, especially as we begin a new year. It’s important to always have the right approach, the right perspective, not only for the year but for everything we begin to do this year.
The passage here says that the beginning of a thing is not as important as how it ends. The end of a thing being better than its beginning doesn’t mean we shouldn’t begin or that beginnings are unimportant. We embark on beginnings so that things will conclude a certain way. So, whenever you begin something, you should have an end in view.
This year, we’re going to start many things. Some people will begin their marriage this year; some will start a job, a project, or schooling. Each of us will have a point of beginning in doing something. The thing about life is that, many times, we celebrate beginnings. We celebrate the birth of a child with a big celebration, or we celebrate a wedding as the beginning of marriage, dressing well for it. When someone gets admission to a school, we celebrate too; it’s a beginning.
Sometimes we become so involved in celebrating the beginning and being excited about it that we forget about the end. Starting is good, but ending well is better. So, for whatever you begin this year, be happy that you were able to take the first step to start it. It takes boldness to begin something. Be proud that you started it, but keep the end in view. Don’t boast of yourself too much at the beginning of a project; be humble and see it through.
That leads us to the second statement: «The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.» Patience is better than arrogance. Why does it say that? Because people can sometimes become very high-minded after starting something. They may speak against those who have completed it. Some might say, «Oh, I would do it better; I can do it better; mine will be better.» It’s okay to believe your work will be better, but don’t be proud about it. Don’t be arrogant or high-minded. Be humble and patient, because it’s a process.
You’ve begun something; now see it through to the end. Perhaps you’ve seen someone else who has begun the same thing and done it. You might think, «Oh, that’s not good enough; I can do better.» It’s fine to think you can do better, but don’t boast. Wait, be patient, and prove that you can do better.
In this year, whatever your dreams and desires are, there will be a beginning, and we must be glad for beginnings. You know, some people never start anything. We should appreciate beginnings but not get so consumed by them that we boast about an end we have not yet reached. Be patient; don’t be proud in spirit. See your programs through; see your ideas through. Work your way through, so that what you begin, you can boldly say at the end of the year, «Oh, I saw it through to the end.»
Some of you may not finish this year; some may finish perhaps 30 or 40 years from now, and some may never finish. A good beginning is good, but a good ending is better. Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father, you know the end from the beginning. Help me to finish all good things that I start. In Jesus' name, amen and amen. I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensah Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.