The Finish Line

The Finish Line

There are endless ways to measure success in life. People look at things like power, prestige, and possessions to gauge their level of the good life. Those things have their place and serve their purpose, however, there is a greater scale to measure what really matters.

It all begins with taking a long range view of life. Most people don't like to think about it, but there is a finish line in life. It's not how we start but how we finish that matters most.

There is a higher calling in life. We are made for something bigger than ourselves. Deep within, there is a sense of significance waiting to be awakened. It speaks not only of what we do in life, but also why we do it. It brings us into contact with what really matters.

In John 17, Jesus is praying in the garden. He is preparing to sacrifice his life on the cross. He reflects on what has been done and what is still to be accomplished. He prays for his disciples and the future of the church. But before that, in verse four, he makes a profound statement. He says to the Father, I have brought glory to you on the earth by completing the work you've given me to do.

With that one statement, he sums up the measure of what really matters. With the end quickly approaching, the thing that stood out to him the most in that moment was his readiness to finish what God had asked him to do. That is the mark of a successful life. The finish line says it all.

That's what Empower NBCA School of Ministry is all about. Getting your focus on the finish line. Not only figuring out what God has called you to do, but also getting a deep sense of why. Because when all is said and done, the higher calling is how we measure what really matters.