What’s Your End Game?

I am rereading Stephen Coveys book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” I think I first read it 30 years ago when it first came out. I implemented some of the concepts but was too busy and too “in control” to implement the whole program. I am revisiting the content now.
The 2nd habit he talks about really captures my attention though. As a deacon I see so many people go through the motions of living and sort of worshipping, checking off the right activities like mass attendance and some prayers. But they never really give themselves up to Jesus Christ… so they never quite find his joy and peace.

We all have struggles in life. We can get frustrated and disappointed and discouraged if we don’t focus on Christ and his message. After all we just went through an election. We hear of all the terrible things in the world…maybe even in our world. We can forget who is in charge. We can forget that the battle for this world is already a done deal. Hint. Jesus won. The only question for you and me is if we are going to be with him or apart from him for eternal life.

That is our end game.
To be with Jesus forever.

As Covey explains it in secular words and perspective, it is up to us to wake up. Decide what our end game is and then align our lives, our work, our families, our every day and week to drive toward that goal. To establish exactly what we must do to reach our end game.

To reach that eternal end game we must start with a close relationship with God right now and right here. Not tomorrow or sometime when we are not busy …but this minute, we must ask him to take control of our life and make it what he will. For it is his will we must seek over our own.

The only way we will be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven is if our relationship to God is close and intimate and he is who we seek every day. He is who guides us. He is the one who we look to and build our principles and goals and world around.

Scriptures tells us who will be greeted at the end times some will hear Jesus say “I don’t know you.” People who went to church but never opened their hearts. Some who love those who love them but ignore the homeless. Those who tithe according to what is left over rather than what we give in gratitude. And gratitude is what draws a change in heart, it drives people to give over their lives to him, even be ordained a deacon or priest.

We can have a close wonderful relationship with our spouse and we know what that looks like. We put them first. It means their needs and wants, are always considered in everything we do. Our relationship with God should be even closer. It has to be.

If we really believe in God and that Jesus came out of love for us. If we believe enough to be able to say yes, Lord I am here. I surrender my life, my work, my sins, my family, all our yours and I want your will for all of it.

What is our end game?

Is it to be in heaven with Jesus and the saints or is our end game to be shunned and be excluded forever…which is what hell is.

There are only two choices.

We are either right now working to be with Jesus or we are working to be with those thrown out of heaven

Just like at work or business we must know where we are going and work toward that end. Just like one who wants to lose weight or get strong, specific goals must be set with dates and actions. The same focus is needed in our eternal life, if our end game is to be successful. We must focus all on the end game we want for ourselves and our family.

What end game do you want for your loved ones, spouse, children, or even yourself? What are you doing about it?