02/23/08 ~ Words of Encouragement
#31 - Finishing Well

It was about 55 years ago that Dr. Jacob Bellig moved from a small church in Willow Glen to a much larger church in Oakland. A few years ago my wife and I attended a special celebration for Pastor Bellig and his wife and their 50 years of faithful service at that church.  That is impressive, but also know that they had served the church in Willow Glen for 12 years before that.  Wow!  That's 62 years of leading churches.  The theme of the service that day in Oakland was Finish Well.  The sub-title was, "Don't just start your life with the Lord with a fast flashy blast, but Finish Well."  It seems like the Belligs have done that.  Stories abounded of lives touched around the world by Pastor Jake.  After many memories that brought tears to most of us there, Pastor Bellig came to the microphone and said, "To God be the glory, great things He has done.......and He's not finished with me yet!" I'm sure those in the audience were thinking of the days, months or years of ministry still left to the Belligs. However, I was thinking of their start. 

In 1942, my parents and five other couples founded a church on Willow Street and called the Belligs as pastor and wife.  He was the pastor when, as a small boy, I accepted Christ at that church.  He was my pastor when I committed my whole life to Christ as a teen.  He was the pastor who baptized me, who married Arlene and me and later held our two kids as they, along with us, were dedicated to the Lord.  Was I emotional at that meeting?  You bet I was!  Something else happened.  I thought of kids I'd influenced for Christ as a teacher, camp counselor, Young Life leader, as a coach.........and wondered if they were to see me now would they say that "Coach Hitch is Finishing Well."

As a teacher and coach I have seen many start their education or athletic endeavors very well.  And I've wondered how they are living now and if they care about "Finishing Well".  The reality, however, is that all any of us can do as teachers and coaches, and parents, is to take care of our own relationship with the Lord and to "run the race He calls us to and finish the course with joy."  As a coach, I sense that we most often concentrate on what we think is the importance of the last pitch, or the last shot, orthe last stroke, or the last play and the effect they have on the outcome of the "game".  I encourage you, and me, to think this week of the influence your life can have on your team members, or your family or co-workers, as you have opportunity to encourage them "to press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" and to not only start well---which might lead to some personal or team recognition---but to FINISH WELL so as to gain the recognition of our Heavenly Father who will reward us with the words "Well done, good and faithful servant."  Let's all finish well.  

-Coach Hitch