JUNE 30, 2017 BY SHERYLG LEAVE A COMMENT
Carol Wilcox finished well. After over three decades in ministry, she made a graceful exit into retirement, celebrating with family and friends into a new season of life. Carol’s success is largely attributed to her focus and daily decisions as she responded to Matthew 22:37: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Hank and wife, Carol Wilcox with Sheryl Giesbrecht and husband, Jim Turner celebrate
Carol’s retirement of over thirty years of ministry.
A few years ago, Dr. Robert Clinton, professor of leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary did a very thorough study of leaders in the Bible. The study is found here: Few Leaders Finish Well http://garyrohrmayer.typepad.com/files/3finishwellarticles.pdf
According to Dr. Clinton, “there are approximately 1000 leaders mentioned by name in the Bible. Most of these leaders are mentioned by name only or are mentioned in connection with a role. Some of the leaders receive a bit more attention but not very much information is given about their lives. There are about 100 prominent leaders described in the Scriptures. Of the 100 or so prominent leaders, only 49 have enough information given about them to ascertain how they finished their life and ministry.”
As he analyzed the lives of these leaders he discovered that there were four types of finishes:
- Those cut off early:
These leaders were taken out of leadership by assassination, killed in battle, prophetically denounced, or overthrown. Some of this activity was directly attributed to God. Some of these were positive, some negative.
Examples: Abimelech, Samson, Absalom, Josiah, John the Baptist, James - Those that finished poorly:
These leaders were going downhill in the latter part of their lives and leadership. This might be reflected in their personal relationship with God or in terms of their leadership competency.
Examples: Gideon, Samson, Eli, Saul, Solomon - Those that finished so-so:
These leaders did well but were limited in some areas of their leadership because of sin. They had some negative ramifications surrounding their lives and leadership even though they personally were walking with God.
Examples: David, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah - Those that finished well:
These leaders were walking with God at the end of their lives. They contributed in God’s purposes at a high level. They fulfilled what God had for them to do.[Tweet “I wonder, will you and I fulfill what God has for us to do? ”
Examples: Abraham, Job, Joseph, Joshua, Caleb, Samuel, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, Paul
[TWEET Our Lord Jesus also showed us how to finish well.]
He stayed on track with his mission by applying five key habits that countered the negative forces in His life:
- Solitude
- Prayer
- Knowing and applying Scripture
- Accepting and abiding in God’s unconditional love
- Maintaining supportive relationships” (Lead Like Jesus Revisited, pp 85-87)
Jesus loved God with His heart, mind, soul, strength and so did Abraham, Job, Joseph, Joshua, Caleb, Samuel and Paul. Like the others who’ve made an eternal impact, the only way we will bear fruit that will leave a lasting mark for the kingdom is to remain in Jesus. We must abide in him. John 15:1-4 explains it best, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
My prayer each day is to remain in Jesus. I desire for God to use me to leave a mark that makes an eternal impact.
[TWEET What about you? Are you leaving your mark? Will you finish well? It’s up to you.]
Posted online this week with Lead Like Jesus for details check it out here:www.leadlikejesus.com/blog/make-your-mark
For more on Dr. Clinton:
bobbyclinton.com/store/clinton-gold/listen-up-leaders/
