Good day dear listeners and welcome again to overcoming temptations, My name is Oyisi Okatahi. Today our topic is titled “Begin with the End in Mind”
One famous author Stephen Convey wrote a book titled “The Seven habits of highly Effective People”, one of the habits happen to be one of my favourite principles which says begin with the end in mind. This means that whatever you want to do in life always think what is the end result of that thing, it means that you should not just think about the process but most important about the end of a matter. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:8a – The end of a matter is better than the beginning.
For instance imagine you go to the motor park here in Abuja and the attendants ask you where are travelling, and you say I don’t know I just want to travel, just give me any ticket and I will buy. And they say no, we have buses going to Ibadan, Enugu and Calabar, which one do you want and you say no just give me anyone I will buy. People will think that there must be something wrong with you and in fact there is. But this is how many people live there lives, they are doing things as they like and they never ask themselves one questions what is the end of this things, where will I end up after all these actions. Some people conclude that Ah, there is no God so I can do as I like, others say even if there is a God, He will be merciful, he cannot allow so many people go to hell, after all, many people are doing what is wrong I am not the only one.
Galatians 6:7 says do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. If there is a creation there is a creator and Revelations 22: 12 says “Look! I’m coming soon. My reward is with me, to repay all people as their actions deserve. So beloved let no one fool you, some day your actions will be judged.
This is why in life we have to start with the end in mind. Today many of our graduates did not begin with the end in mind. Someone studied biochemistry, and you ask them why did you study biochemistry and they say Oh I wanted to study medicine and I was not offered but they offered me biochemistry. So do you like biochemistry? and they say no. So why did you studied it, Ah I just want to be a graduate. So how about medicine, do you like medicine, and they say ah no I don’t like medicine. But you said you wanted to study medicine and rather you were offered biochemistry. Ah actually it was my father that wanted me to study medicine, what I like is really theater arts, but my parent do not like it.
So you find out that several people are just on a journey without asking themselves at the end will I be happy, would I have made the right choice. You only have one life, live it wisely knowing that everything you do, God will hold you accountable for your actions. Many people are short sighted, they only think of today, their power, wealth is all about today, but they never ask themselves. The bible says that naked were we born and naked we shall die, no one will carry anything from this world, all your possessions, power, pride ends the moment you die. Everyone including myself speaking shall die someday. That is the end of human being. Having this in mind you should keep away from sin and evil. The fact that everyone is doing it does not make it right. And God will judge us individually, the fact that your husband or father is a true pastor does not give you a license to heaven, everyone shall be judged separately.
So beloved in all you do begin with the end in mind, then you will not make a mistake or have any regrets in the decisions you take.
Wish you Gods favour and direction. Have a blessed day.
