Twelve years. It has been 12 years since my family moved back to the
Bulkley Valley in northern British Columbia. My wife and I were married here 21 years ago. Both of
our children (18 and 6) were born here. We love our community.
Now we are leaving.
This September, we will be moving to Winnipeg for the next two years. My
wife and I will be training to become Salvation Army officers. It
is a new adventure and we are excited to see what God has in store for
us next.
Over the next 2 months we will be planning, packing and then departing.
All this has gotten me to thinking about how I will finish here in the
Valley. It would be easy to “check out” and leave the work to the next
man/woman. However, I look at work as I do life. We should always strive
to do our best. It has been said that the Christian life is like a
marathon, not a 100-yard dash. I want to finish as well as I started.
In 2 Tim. 4:7, Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
I want to finish well in the Bulkley Valley just like I want to finish
well in life. I want to honor God with my life, my conduct, my work and
my relationships with others. Jesus told a story in Matthew about a
servant who pleased his master greatly.
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have
been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many
things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21)
When I leave this world for good and stand before our Heavenly Father, I
long to hear those words. It starts now. I need to choose each day to
walk with Him, to honor Him, and to strive to finish each day well.
I want to leave the Valley encouraging you to make that make that choice as well.
Finish Well!