by J. Randal Matheny

Start with the end in mind. Those words of Stephen Covey reflect a wonderful Biblical thought. For a great beginning, consider the conclusion.

Solomon said it better, "Better the end of anything than its beginning; better patience than pride" (Eccl. 7:8, NEB).

As is common with Biblical truths, this wisdom seems madness to pagan man.

We don't want things to end. We want everything to continue as it is.

Brazilian poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade wrote about the lost feeling after the party's over:

What now, Jose?
The party's over,
the light's out,
everybody's gone,
the night's chilled,
What now, Jose?

At the end of the poem, Drummond asks, "you're marching, Jose! / Jose, to where?"

What an awful feeling!

So Drummond would shake his head at the Christian's prayer, "Maranatha!" (1 Cor. 16:22). Come, Lord! Let's get it over with now! Usher in the end!

Perhaps that's the sense in which we should understand Peter's encouragement to those who were "waiting for and HASTENING the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!" (2 Pet. 3:12, ESV).

Because the end signifies the beginning of something much better, a never-ending blessedness at the side of God.

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (v. 13).

We can hardly wait for that day to come! The end is clearly in view. It's the destination I want, not just the journey.

So start your day today, start your week, start the new 2004, with the end in mind.