Beginning with the End in Mind

Dr. Bowling, the University President here at Olivet Nazarene University, has always begun the first university chapel message of the school year with an address to the senior class that will graduate at the end of that year. During these messages, Dr. Bowling takes time to encourage these seniors to be rigorous in their studies, to continue to develop relationships, and to become even more attune to the Lord's work in their life during their last year at ONU. One of the phrases he uses every time in that message at the beginning of each schoolyear came to my mind this morning: Every year, he tells the senior class to "Begin with the end in mind."

At the beginning of 2010--a new year, a new decade--I simply want to offer the same piece of advice to the friends and family (and strangers!) who sometimes frequent my blog: Let's begin 2010 with the end in mind. Listen to the words of John the Revelator:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true. He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.”

May these be encouraging words, motivating words, words of truth to spur you on to holy living and hopeful expectation during this new year, 2010. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness! He is coming again! Let us be prepared, in season and out of season, for the day he fully reveals his glory to the world! May the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, be close to you this year. Amen.