Beginning with the End in Mind

What do you think would make communities effective in overcoming poverty, disaster or injustice? In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the late Steve Covey explains that one habit that boosts effectiveness is beginning with the end in mind. The mental picture of our future that we carry internally is very important in giving us a sense of personal direction. A clear vision encourages us to act in ways that help us to accomplish that vision of the future.

The final word, “Amen,” is what drives us forward. Why? Because it expresses faith and confidence in a God who will surely make it happen.

I believe having a picture of the end in mind is also important for World Renew’s work. Our vision for the future is one that joins the vision of about 3500 communities who are changing their stories: from the despair of poverty to the hope of overcoming it; from the injustices between people to reconciling their relationships; and from the destruction of the environment from abuse and disasters to restoring creation. I am amazed as I read recent stories from India and Cambodia about the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as just one of many interventions that has ended in hope for farm families. Of mothers from the Rahba people using SRI in India who are now rejoicing they have more food for their families. Of Chay Dia in Cambodia who experienced such significant change in his yields from using the SRI method with less labor, less seed and less chemical fertilizer that he gladly trained 27 other farmers!

In the last verse of the Bible, we read of the end we desire to see: the grace of the Lord Jesus to be with God’s people (Rev. 22:21). And the final word, “Amen,” is what drives us forward. Why? Because it expresses faith and confidence in a God who will surely make it happen. We can either join Him in the process or fight against it. But no matter our choice, victory is assured. Our world will be renewed by God’s grace.

Whatever suffering we see and experience in 2013, we know we have a Savior who will put an end to it. We can hold firm to the joyful expectation of a glorious end when all of life will be made perfect once again.

So what “amen” endings do you expect and hope to see in this year? It might be the use of pit latrines in communities in Cambodia to change people’s health. It could include putting conflict mitigation into practice in communities to achieve peace in Rongai, Kenya. The “amen” could be evident in getting land deeds for the Rahba ethnic group or for farmers in Tanzania. Or it could be successfully getting water piped into homes to save hours of labour in Honduras. It could be a new house to replace the one destroyed by hurricanes. Or it could be a young adult energized for a new career because of a volunteer experience. It could even mean a transitioning of earthly life to God’s eternal glory. Whatever the renewal and restoration, may you continue to be inspired by joining the ending vision in God’s mind, by the power of His grace and by the surety of His promise in His Amen!