Plan for the end
Lately, I have become more intrigued with techniques of how to be productive, effective and so on. I started reading Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and in his book, one of the habits he lists is to begin with the end in mind. Coincidently, I was reading Colossians at the same time I was reading about the habit, beginning with the end in mind. Colossians 3:2-3 (NLT) says: “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) says: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) says: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” What we constantly think on is what eventually comes true. This is why therapist help us to combat negative beliefs. This is why the Bible tells us to speak life. This is why affirmations have become a popular thing in recent years. What we think on is eventually what we speak, what we think, what we speak and is eventually what we become. Therefore, if we begin to think about living eternity in heaven, pleasing God and focusing on God’s Word to help us, we will begin to allow God to inscribe His Word on our hearts. Conviction when we do wrong will begin to get stronger. The old adage, “The things I used to do, I don’t do no more,” will begin to become true. God will begin to transform us and renew us. Why? Because we are thinking about ways to reach our goal of pleasing God and making it into heaven.
As I and other saints have mentioned before, this world is not our home. We are only on this earth for a short amount of time. Yes, it should be impactful, but it should be impactful with us doing the work of the Kingdom. Loving God, having faith in God and being obedient to what He has called us to become is what will get us to that expected, desired end. I see and hear plenty of people saying, “when they get to Heaven,” but not living or acting in the ways that will get them there.
Therefore, if we want to be effective Christians, we must do as the Bible and Covey suggest, begin with the end in mind.
We must begin today and every day afterward as if we are going to live in Heaven.
