Two Kinds of Endings (Part 1)

Scripture:  Ecclesiastes 7:8  (NKJV) - The end of a matter is better than the beginning.      

Endings can lead us to reflect much upon all that has gone before.  In many cases, generally speaking, there’s something very hope-inspiring about them.  One gospel preacher has said that, “A wise person knows that the end of a matter is better than its beginning;” and we can readily appreciate this statement when the ending of an event or life season followed many challenges, difficulties, and even growth opportunities—assuming we purposed to view them as such. Some endings remind us of Proverbs 13:12— “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.”

If you think about it, everyone’s life has basically two types of endings:  those which are temporal and the eternal.  The temporal endings are very transitory in nature; a misstep can be handled by a “do-over!”  Some examples of transitory endings might be educational milestones, career changes, or relationship changeovers. Interestingly though, no matter how long we’ve been saved, we can learn much about ourselves at the end of life’s many transient seasons and experiences, their impact making us BITTER or BETTER, hopeful or cynical!  We emerge better from life’s ordeals to the extent that we’ve learned to keep our heart with all diligence (Prov. 4:23)—that is, by setting  “ a strict guard upon our souls, keeping our heart from doing hurt, and getting hurt.” (Matthew Henry Commentary, p.583)

Solomon makes a critical assessment of what should be our response to life’s ups and downs throughout the entire Book of Ecclesiastes.  Our own Scripture-filtered assessments of life’s many “endings” will determine the quality of deposit they will make in our own spiritual development.

Prayer:  Precious Lord, we thank You for Your promise to always walk with    Your blood-bought children.  May we daily feed on Your faithfulness and practice Your presence, earnestly trusting You through life’s many beginnings and endings.  In Jesus’ name; amen!

(by Denise Diggs)