How can we avoid the barriers but enhance the qualities of finishing well? Dr. J. Robert Clinton’s research found five items that were repeated. I’ve added two more to his list and also took the liberty to wordsmith the terminology for easier memorization.
Periodic Perspective – Leaders who finish well see their present ministry in light of a lifetime perspective. They understand that God is doing something now in preparation for something in the future. They periodically take time out of their lives to see where they’ve been, where they are, and where they need to go. I’ve been studying the life of Joseph in Genesis and I believe Joseph could see the various things happening to him in Egypt in terms of what God was going to do overall with his life. Therefore the events in his life: the pit, Potiphar’s home, prison, before Pharaoh – all were viewed not as the end of the road, but part of the lifetime journey. One of the things I’m doing during my current sabbatical is gaining perspective on my life journey.
Regular Renewal – Leaders who finish well have meaningful encounters with the Lord in which God communicates with freshness that brings insight, affirmation, inspiration, breakthrough, a sense of His presence, intimacy or perspective. Sometimes this is a result of leaders initiating a renewal effort, but most times it sovereignly comes from God. However, a leader has prepared him/herself for renewal by maintaining spiritual disciplines with an openness and expectancy to God’s fresh renewal. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had multiple times of renewal with the Lord.
Deliberate Disciplines – Just as the physical body needs discipline to keep in shape, the spiritual body needs discipline as well. With spiritual disciplines you are cultivating your inner man to make it sensitive to the Lord. Someone once asked me how she could recognize the voice of God. I asked how she was able to recognize the voice of her best friend on the phone. She said it was because she talked to her everyday. Same principle. The more time you spend with God, the more you will recognize His voice and movements.
Here is how Dr. Clinton categorizes various disciplines based on Dallas Willard’s book The Spirit of the Disciplines:
Disciplines of abstinence: solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy, sacrifice;
Disciplines of engagement: study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, and submission;
Other disciplines: voluntary exile, keeping watch, Sabbath keeping, practices among the poor, journaling, and listening.
Lifelong Learning – Ever notice how leaders are always learning? Once you stop learning, you stop leading. Leaders who finish well never come to a point saying, “I’ve reached the point where I don’t have to learn anymore.” No, they keep on learning. Notice Paul’s need for Timothy to bring the parchments in 2Tim. 4:13. Paul was still learning even in the face of death. The primary way most people learn are through books. But there are also learning opportunities through conferences, workshops, seminars, podcasts, streaming video, and blogs. And don’t just lean towards those who share your views, take an interest in various viewpoints. A few years ago I read The DaVinci Code to learn what Dan Brown was promoting, and I must say it was a very compelling book to read. I learned what others were thinking which helped me to know how to respond.
Multiple Mentors – Leaders who finish well have consistently been mentored by many people, some for a season, some for a lifetime. Look how well Paul the Apostle finished. Part of the reason is because in his early life he was mentored by Barnabas. Throughout my Christian life I have been mentored by some key people who kept me accountable and taught me things about character, ministry, and inner life. Without those mentors, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have a whole series on Mentoring in my Facebook notes.
Stewardship of the Sweet-Spot – God has not only given believers spiritual gifts but natural abilities and acquired skills as well. Natural abilities are those abilities that are innate; in other words you seem to be born with these abilities. Some are great with their hands, some are natural singers, and others are natural organizers. Acquired skills are those skills that you learned. Maybe you learned how to fix computers or someone taught you how to sew. The “sweet spot” refers to a combination of spiritual gifts, natural abilities and acquired skills, one of which is primary and the others support it. When you consistently steward your “sweet-spot,” you have a tendency to grow. When you don’t use it, you will plateau. Paul’s “sweet-spot” employed his natural ability of being a quick learner, acquired skill of the understanding the Jewish law, and the apostolic spiritual gift.
Character Construction – Those who finish well understand that God is constantly working on their character. When you become a believer the process of salvation is complete but the process of sanctification, becoming more like Christ, is just beginning and continues over a lifetime. God will use the circumstances of life as His curriculum to shape and sharpen your character. One of His best educational tools is difficult times. It is during these times that you will learn perseverance, trust, and faith. Therefore instead of asking, “Why me?” those who finish well ask, “What is God trying to teach me during this time?” (Over the next few months I hope to begin a series of notes titled “God’s Shaping Activities.”)
Those who want to finish well know that it does not happen by accident or chance. It takes intentionality and deliberateness. Those who finish well make time in their busy calendar to schedule ways to enhance their finish.
Questions to think about:
Do you feel the need to take a “time-out” from your ministry so that you can gain perspective and renewal?
Are there some disciplines that have decreased because of busyness?
Think back on the mentors you have had in your life. What did each one teach you? What kind of mentor will you need for the current and next season of your life?
Are you in a role where you can use your spiritual gifts, natural abilities and acquired skills?
© Gary Lau 2011
All rights reserved. This article may not be distributed, forwarded or duplicated without prior permission from the author.
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