Copyright © Field Lily Press
Design by Dzignine

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Beginning With the End In Mind

Late last year I heard a quote that comes back to me now, and the quote was "begin with the end in mind." The quote was issued as a help in how to approach the Holiday Season. What do we want our holidays to look like....here and there for parties, and the like, or quiet traditions shared within the calmer walls of our own home. I often like to take things I hear and try to make a spiritual application, if possible, so I regularly hold that quote over various areas of life, and have benefited greatly from doing so. Wiring, I'm told.

That being said, a couple of weeks ago I purchased for myself and my husband (for Christmas) our own "his and her" brand-new One Year Chronological Bible(s). I have been wanting a Chronological Bible for years now, and finally I had my hands on one! And it was mine, mine, all mine! Woo hoo!!! I decided there was no sense in waiting til the big day to begin my new quest through the Word, so I opened it up and began my reading in the December portion of the Bible-the book of Revelation. I guess you could say I began with the end! What a wonderful ending to begin with! I found myself smack dab in the middle of the most descript and exciting, yet terrifying accounts of all John heard,saw, and recorded. It had a profound impact on me. I couldn't help but view our current times through the lense of John's account. Then today, I actually got to start at the beginning, and the first words I read were, "In the beginning..." Hmmm. God began with the end in mind. When He began, before sin.... His creation and the purity it held; after sin....mercy shrouded in Holiness,our willful rebellion, His patience, our idolatry, His judgements, our waywardness, His heartbeat to reconcile....every bit of it pointed to the end. The end, us with Him, the part where we understand and see in full. Oh, somehow could we do that? Could we do what He did? Could we begin today -this new year- with the end in mind....looking for the return of the One who loves us greater and purer than we could comprehend this side of Heaven?

Son Daniel today, after watching the ever so slightly cheesy hit TV show, "Lost in Space" couldn't help but wonder outloud if the girl robot that was on the show was going to fall in love with the boy robot already a fixture in the series. Except that he said, "Do the robots turn in love with each other?" (Yes, "brown bear" boy with such questions at age six.)I wrote it down 'cause it was one of those childhood quotes I knew I didn't want to forget. He wanted to know how it was going to end. So, for us,in beginning with the end in mind could it be that a "turning" in our love is due. When God said "In the beginning....He knew there would be a turning away from, and through Grace alone, He began the all-out process of reconciliation - of our returning. We begin with the end in mind and we return. Happy New Year everyone.

12 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Kathy, I love this post. What a great way to look at life. What a revelation through God's Word! Happy New year!

Susan said...

My gift to my husband this Christmas was The Narrated Bible in Chronological Order, NIV.

Yes, we definately believe we are in the End-----Revelation. Since the late 50's when I found Jesus, I have always felt I would see the return of Jesus. What a hope to live by it has been.
Susan

Frasypoo said...

Kathy,
We are studying Revelations in detail in sunday school and I am enjoying it immensely

Me, Myself, And I said...

GREAT post and blog, Happy New Year

Kathy said...

Susan, the audio version sounds like a great idea. How does he like the chronological approach? Danny keeps that view of eternity before him that you spoke of. It makes the hardships worth it, and helps us keep even the "good stuff" in proper perspective.

Frasypoo...what an amazing time to be studying Revelation. There are a myriad of "end times" views, but one thing for sure that leaves little room for discussion is the fact that the end comes at some point...for all of us. Keep me posted on what you're getting from your study. Would love to know how it impacts you.

Kathy said...

Thank you Liz.

Kathy said...

Hello Myself! Glad you came by, and then I got to pop in on you as well. A gracious and happy New Year to you and your family! Kathy

Nancy said...

The "End" is the exciting part...with a peek at what God has in mind, we travel back through time to see how it all unfolds...from the creation, to the fall, to the plan, the journey, and the final rescue. As we follow along with the Spirit, we can't help but come to a revelation of how great the "So" is in: FOR GOD "SO" LOVED THE WORLD...And as we read through again and again, we are transformed!

Kathy said...

Nancy, so true. Thank you for your comments on John 3:16. You're right....He SO loved the world! Kathy

Brenda said...

I thank the Lord so much for his grace. To have the end (which is really the beginning in my eyes!)always in my heart keeps me focused on what's important in accomplishing His will in my life.
God bless!

Kristi said...

Begin with the end in mind. I love it. Live it. Starting now!

Journaling Gina said...

I've been thinking about getting a chronilogical ordered Bible too. We are studying Esther for Bible Study and so much of the OT isn't written in order....it would be so much easier to understand if I knew the timeline! Thanks for sharing!