STARTING STRAIGHT, FINISHING STRONG

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’…” ‭‭(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV)‬‬

It is so important to start straight, if you would finish strong. When aiming an arrow, with steady hand and focused vision, one must launch it toward the target. Once the arrow leaves the bow, the course cannot be corrected. It will speed toward its target—hit or miss. The aim is the crucial thing. So the Bible refers to children as “arrows in the hand of a warrior…” (Psalm 127:4a). There comes a time when those children are going to be removed from the quiver of the home and let go into the world. Where have we aimed them? Sadly, many arrows are dipped in poison—the poison of materialism, the poison of bitterness, and the poison of sensuality—and their impact on society will be devastating.

It is a constant challenge to parents, preachers, educators, and Bible teachers to aim these arrows in the right direction. For many the bowstring is now taut—in moments the string will be let go—these children have become young adults, graduating from High School and the University and loosed into the world. Have we pointed them in the right direction?

Here is a final opportunity to make sure the aim is straight. We cannot necessarily undo all the years of shaky hands and blurred vision, nor learn the proper technique of archery all at the last, but we can try to do better than we might have otherwise. Then, we can purpose that with the other arrows in our quiver, we shall do better.

We call this time in a young person’s life, “commencement.” They think of it as “conclusion.” “I’ve finished my studies. I’m graduating. I’m done.” That’s what they think. But it is “commencement” which means beginning. This is not the end, but the start. If you would finish strong, you better start straight.

That’s what Solomon is saying to young people. Now is the time to remember your Creator. While you are laying a foundation for life, make sure it is solid. Take care how you are building. Otherwise there will come a day filled with regret. Solomon knew. This wise man had become an old fool. He had been pointed the right direction, was

filled with wisdom, blessed with great opportunity and blew it! He forgot God and finished miserably! Don’t you do that! He looks back on wasted years and is a broken man in body, soul and spirit.

Imagine two ships steaming from New York harbor bound for the shores of England. Let’s say that one ship begins off course, by just one degree. At the start you would not notice a difference. For a while the ships would be in sight of each other. But the farther they go on the ocean, the farther they separate. In the end, one reaches its intended port, while the other winds up on the shores of Africa! If you don’t chart a course for God

while you are young—if you get off just a little bit—you are going to wind up far from where you intended to be. You cannot begin the same voyage again.

As a parent, grandparent, or church leader responsible for aiming young people, let us run to Jesus for wisdom and strength. He will help us in this awesome responsibility. Are you a young student? Jesus is the Master—spend moments every day with Him and He will guide you safely home.

Yours for Going God’s Way,

Dennis Thurman, Mission Strategist