Finish the Race...

One of the greatest gifts that my earthly father gave me is the gift of dead-reckoning in regard to my integrity with others and my work ethic.  Because of his relentless efforts to make sure that we were - in regard to others - people who kept our word, did  what we said, finished the task, etc., I am driven in regard to doing what I tell others that I will do.  The gift that Dad gave me was not perfection but understanding and desire that results in repentence when I fail in integrity. 

Keeping our word, living what we speak and finishing the task are very serious things. Finzel, in his book Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, lists one of the top ten as beginning change and not staying until it is complete.  Without question, all of us get tired of customer no-service and peer promises that don't materialize.  A lack of integrity in keeping our work, completing the task and doing what we say we will do is devastating in a spiritual setting.

I am astonished again and again to listen to people who lift up leaders, praising them, bragging on their wisdom and their intuition while those same leaders fail to be consistent or even to finish the task.  I am horrified each time I hear followers and leaders making excuses for teachers and leaders not perservering and finishing the task as they said, "I am called to it...I will do it..."  

I didn't like learning it.  I didn't like being pushed to finish what I said I would do.  I didn't like the discipline.  I was young.

I am so glad he pushed me.  I am so glad he built me to finish.  I am so glad I am driven to not give up.  I am older.

Quite frankly, I wish everyone would do what they say and finish the task or at least be devastated when they didn't.  Don't we realize - no one believes one word we say when we can't even reflect and do what we say we will do.  We should repent when we are wrong...