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Beginnings and Endings

 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. (John 1:1-2, 14)

          I’m camping on the subject of good decisions. In Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey wisely teaches “Begin with the end in mind.” That’s a critical, valuable, important piece of advice. If you don’t have a destination, the only way you’ll get there is by accident. I fear that’s the way most of us live our lives.

          But, beginning with the end in mind isn’t the only critical, valuable, important piece of advice. We also need to begin with the beginning in mind, and to end with the beginning in mind. If you’re starting in Cleveland, and want to get to New York City, it doesn’t make sense if the exits you’re seeing are for Chicago, Omaha, or Salt Lake City. It does make sense if you see exits for Erie and Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Wilkes Barre.

          In the same way, if today’s passage means something to you, there are decisions that will flow naturally, and decisions that won’t really fit. If you begin with God and the principles taught in Scripture, then, for example, charging person X $15, and person Y $25 for the same product is wrong. If you don’t begin with God and His principles, you might or might not reach the same conclusion. For me, this meant that when I had a treat to share at work, I was obligated to inform people I didn’t like just as I did people I did like.

          Of course, claiming to begin with God doesn’t mean one does, and even if one begins with God, it’s all too easy to kick Him to the curb and head off on our own. That’s part of why we need to both begin with the beginning in mind and begin with the end in mind. The combination helps us stay on track, or at least get back on track.

          And this is where we struggle. If we are beginning with God, we’re supposed to obey what He says. We’re supposed to trust Him. We’re supposed to live according to His laws and precepts. Do I trust Him enough to do X? To not do X? “Oh, but it really has nothing to do with trust. It has to do with desire.” Well, are you willing to trust Him with that desire and listen to what He says about it? And if you are making decisions that do not lead back to Him and to His precepts, are you beginning with either the beginning or the end in mind? Or are you just thinking of now? If you are only thinking of now, is it a good decision?

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