Why the End Matters More Than the Start

Why the End Matters More Than the Start

Doubtless, we have all seen the 'How it started' verses the 'How it’s going' trend on social media. Usually, it’s a side-by-side comparison:

a shaky first sketch next to a masterpiece, or a nervous first-date

photo next to a glowing wedding portrait.

We love these posts because they celebrate progress. But behind every 'How it’s going' photo is a story of the middle—the messy, stressful, and often difficult parts that don’t always make it to our social media posts.

It’s Not How You Start

Ecclesiastes 7:8, reminds us of this profound truth written way before social media: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is

better than pride.”

I was recently asked to speak at an event marking a significant moment in the lives of a couple whom I have known for a log time. The start of their married life, 21 years ago, had not got off the best of starts. There were challenges, stresses, and hurdles that could have easily derailed them.

But they had one thing that outweighed the stress. A determination that was rooted in their love for one another. It serves as a reminder that that while we can’t always control how a journey begins, we can certainly decide how we choose to continue it.

The Power of the Long View

In our walk of faith, we are often tempted to obsess over the now. We get discouraged by current setbacks or frustrated that we aren't further along than we expected. However, our faith in Jesus will always call us to take the long view. We often find help from some well-known verses... Romans 8:28 reminds us that in all things, God is working out His plans and purposes for our lives. Elsewhere,

Ephesians 1:6 assures us that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion. But these verses also remind us this is a long haul process.

You see wherever we are at this moment in time there is so much more to come. And we can be confident in God's faithfulness and presence. However, that involves a decision - to trust the process. The second half of the verse in Ecclesiastes mentions that 'patience is better than pride'. This is the 'How it's going?' part of our experience and it is important to understand both elements of the wisdom this verse carries.

How do we stay patient when the middle of the story gets hard - and at times, really hard? It may seem simplistic, but we need to take the time to look back. The same God who was with you at what may have been a messy beginning is the same God standing with you today.

The danger we often face is trying to hurry God along, it's what he writer of this verse is urging is not to do. When we get impatient, we try to give God a helping hand, if that were possible, and this is where pride can set in. We think we know the timeline better than the God does. But faith is about trusting the process as well as the One who is overseeing it.

Finishing Well

Whether you are celebrating a milestone or you are currently in a less than positive stage of life, remember this, God is not finished with you yet.

Your current circumstances are not your final destination. Don't focus on where things started or even where they are right now—focus on where they are headed. Trust in His purposes, lean into patience, and remember that it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.