ACTIVATE YOUR ADVANCE PLAN TO FINISH WELL

BY DR. DELBERT W. BAKER

One thing I’ve learned from running marathons is “It is important to start right, but it is imperative to end well!”

The goal of a race is to successfully cross the finish line. I n ancient Greece, there was a unique game in their Olympics. In that race, the winner was not the runner who finished first. The winner was the first r unner who finished with his torch still lit. Old or young, male or female, the goal for us is to finish life, ministry and our calling with the flame of devotion to Jesus still burning bright. This m ay sound simple but it’s what life is all about.

Life Entrapment

The goal is clear but there is a challenge. Many offsetting things can happen from the start of your career to its peak, and then into retirement. Events may happen that throw you off track.

Among many distractions, there is that timeless list of Seven Deadly Sins, the threatening behaviors: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and laziness. It is the enemy’s plot to derail your life with any one, or combination, of the above.

The entrapment strategy is simple yet sinister. Allure the believer, at any stage in life, through apparently innocent avenues, “through devotion to worldly interests, Satan receives all the homage he asks. The door is left open for him to enter as he pleases, with his evil train of impatience, love of self, pride, avarice, overreaching, and his whole catalogue of evil spirits. Man is charmed a nd treacherously allured on to ruin.”2

Finisher Types

Fuller seminary professor and researcher, Dr. J. Robert Clinton conducted a 13-year study of more than 1,200 leaders from the Bible, church history, and today. He discovered that 70 percent of the leaders didn’t finish their m ission successfully. Only 1 in 3 (30 percent) of the leaders finished their calling well. That meant that twothirds of leaders did notable things and then imploded. They abused their power, were involved in scandals or obviously fell short of their goals. Clinton s ays, the statistic is the same, or worse, today.3

From his studies, Clinton outlines the four types of life finishers…

First, the Runners: This successful category had people like Abraham, Joseph, Daniel and Paul. They sacrificed and stayed close to God and never stopped learning and growing in their personal and spiritual walk. They remained spiritually strong. It was clear that Holy Spirit control was on their life. They developed their full potential and significantly advanced the purpose of God. They completed the task God gave them to do.

Second, the Walkers: This category contained people like David, Hezekiah and Jonah. These were good leaders but were slowed down, impeded in t heir service to God and people because of sin or pampered weaknesses. They loved God and realized some success but clearly fell short of what God had for them.

Insidiously, weaknesses and the ramifications of their sin continued to plague them, even though they may wise, we can avoid the pain and disappointment of finishing poorly. Personal commitment, intentional planning a nd good choices make a difference.

Prepare Now

race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” t have been walking with God at the end. Third, the Limpers: These leaders finished the race but barely crossed the l ine and in poor shape. Leaders like Gideon, Eli and Solomon, they had obvious ups and downs, and experienced clear failures in phases of their ministry. Their weaknesses were often multiple and are recorded in history. Their fi nish was in the midst of pain and shame and was reflected in their relationship with God, others and in the fluctuating effectiveness of their ministries.

Fourth, the Disqualified: In this category, some leaders were taken out of t he race prematurely. People like Saul, Absalom and Ahab were removed from leadership by assassination, or death in battle; were denounced or overthrown. They were removed from leadership or places of service because they persistently failed in responsibilities and obedience. It is tragic when leaders and workers end their lives and missions in this category. Yes, God’s grace is abundant and available, but the damage and spiritual cost to God’s plan, themselves and others is heavy and far-reaching.

The Clinton Finishing Well data is fascinating in its implications and allows room for discussion and debate. However, the overall conclusion is evident. The rate of leaders who finish well is low. It illustrates the need and challenge to thinking people. By the grace of God and personal commitment, we can finish well or as well as possible. Despite earlier mistakes and missteps, by cooperating with God where we are, we can experience the joy and satisfaction of finishing well. Like-

The challenge to finish well applies to the area of one’s retirement, as well as to the realm of career and service in the maturing years. If we are blessed to reach the retirement stage, it is crucial to bear this concept in mind. Life continues with its joys and highs, as well a s its rigor and tests. In this life chapter, the key focus is on how to manage t he preparation for and transition into retirement, to move through it successfully all the way to its conclusion.

T heologian, pastor and author, J. I Packer (1926-2020) observed:

“Runners in a distance race… always try to keep something in reserve for a final sprint. And my contention is that, so far as our bodily health allows, we should aim to be found running the last lap of the race of our Christian life, as we would say, flat out. The final sprint, so I urge, should be a sprint indeed.”4

The Association for Development, Enrichment and Lifelong Learning (ADEL) P rogram of the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) is committed to help to prepare any participating retiree to Finish Well and Finish Strong. Two guiding texts provide divine insight on finally finishing well. First, we see that the Apostle Paul offers a mindset model for finishing well when he said to Timothy (see 2 Timothy 4.68, NKJV):

4 . Finishing our Course with Joy: Guidance from God on Engaging with our Aging, J. I. Packer (2014). https://www.monergism.com/we-grow-old-j-i-packer

“ The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Second, when we read Hebrews 12:12, we are assured of the partnership of Christ as we enter this life chapter:

“Let us run with endurance the

Delbert W. Baker, PhD, is an author, educator, administrator an d pastor. He is Director of Research and Development at the Regional Conference Retirement Plan Office in the Charles Dudley, Sr. Regional Conference Ministries Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

References

1.William Clubertson (1905-1971), pastor, educator and former president of Moody Bible Institute.

2.Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 4, page 45, (1876).

3.Robert Clinton, The Mantle of the Mentor, (1993); The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development (2012 edition).

ADVANCE Proactively

The following seven principles are best-practices for successfully planning for and living through the retirement phase. They are the guiding values of the RCRP/ ADEL program and provide any person who practices them with a reliable retirement preparation-maintenance blueprint. Of course, for this approach to be effective, these concepts must be applied. No good implementation, no good outcome. The earlier a person begins to implement and actively practice these principles, the better.

The retirement success principles and plan can be outlined and advocated by the acronym

ADVANCE:

A—Achieving Lifelong Growth: Nurture commitment to maintain purpose, development, health, wealth and total stewardship, undergirded with lifelong learning and continuous development. Growth is good.

D—Developing Enduring Relationships: Believe in being socially connected, relating to, interacting with people as opposed to a tendency to withdraw and be isolated. Relationships are lifeblood.

V—Valuing Authentic Love: Pursue service, compassion, love to others (see Micah 6:8); pour out to family, friends, faith members, world community, using Jesus as the exemplary model. Love is key.

A—Anchoring Lasting Legacy: Practice privileged senior role with wisdom, experience, support; leave footprint by investing in current/future generations via educating, and mentoring. Legacy is crucial.

N—Networking Vital Connections: Schedule daily quality communication association with God, familial social, leisure, church and community circles in appropriate and creative ways. Networks are vital.

C—Connecting Empowering Plans: Deliberately make realistic, SMART5 plans to develop your potential, service, leisure and doing good for your day, week and desired future. Plans are motivating.

E—Embracing Bible Beliefs: Prioritize vitalizing concepts of the Gospel via Bible principles that facilitate godliness flowing from the practice of truth here and hope of eternity to come. Hope is powerful.

With good input, commitment and substantial planning, along with cooperating with God and others, you can have a vibrant and successful retirement life chapter and finish well.

5 S.M.A.R.T. is a popular acronym, used to guide in the setting of goals and objectives; stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals.