Day 90: Bring it all home.

Today’s Big Idea: Ending Well

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 4:7

Passage of the day: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Thoughts to consider: Solomon, near the end of his life, wrote, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8) As wise as Solomon was, he did not end his run of life as well as Paul ended his. Second Timothy is the last letter we have from the apostle Paul. He wrote it while under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before Caesar, perhaps a few weeks before his death. He had been through a lot in his years of ministry (this is putting it lightly), and he sat down to write one last time to a young pastor named Timothy. In his letter, he charged Timothy with several instructions: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction” (4:2) and “…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” (4:5). Paul’s instruction is great advice even today. He reminds us that he has fought the good fight, finished his race, and kept the faith. We are given this same advice close to our 100 days. With only 10 days left, I encourage you to begin with the end in mind. Keep the faith and fight the fight. Don’t give up. Don’t back down. Start strong and End Well. May we follow Paul’s example, as he encourages us to do, “Follow me as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Christ finished it all on the cross and knew in the beginning what it would cost. For the Glory of the Father.