The End of the Story

 

By Andrea Merrell

The end of a thing is better than its beginning.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 NKJV

The pastor’s wall was covered with diplomas, awards, and accolades of every type imaginable. Well-respected in his church and community, the man took great pride in his popularity and all his accomplishments. He carried his profession around like a trophy.

But just like so many others who take their eyes off the Lord and take credit for all He has done for them and through them, he fell into a sin-filled life and lost everything he had—his church, his family, and his reputation. His arrogance became his downfall, and his story did not end well.

On the other hand, let’s look at Rahab. She was known as a harlot. Not a good beginning, but because of her belief in and commitment to the God of Abraham, she was spared when her city fell and is now listed in the lineage of our Savior Jesus.

The Word for You Today says this about Rahab: “Her profession of faith mattered more than her profession as a harlot.” God redeemed her and redirected her life. Unlike the pastor, her life was tenuous at the start, but ended strong. What a testimony!

Many of us had a rough start in life, but God is all about redemption and restoration. He turns mourning into joy and replaces ashes with beauty. When we trust in Him, He can take ever the worst and most tragic situation and turn it around for our good and His glory.

As believers, we don’t know the future, nor can we control what happens in this life. But by placing our trust and hope in the Lord, we know the end of our story. And it’s better than anything we could ever imagine.

Do you know the end of your story?

 Photo by Daman IAm on Unsplash