Habit #2, in Steven Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is:
Begin with the end in mind.
This habit is based on the principle that all things are created twice. First there is a mental creation, which is your vision of who you are and what you want in life. The physical creation of that vision follows.
Covey asks his readers to envision the eulogy at our own funeral. What do we want people to say about the life we’ve lived? With that end in mind, we can work on shaping our life to fulfill that vision.
Covey asks his readers to write a personal mission statement. He has us take into account:
Let’s rewrite this habit on Jesus’s behalf….
Live with the end in mind.
This habit is based on the principle that all people are created twice. First there is a physical creation, when we are born into the world. The spiritual creation follows when we choose Jesus as the leader and Lord of our life. We are born again.
Jesus asks us to envision our eternal life with him. What do we want him to say about the life we’ve lived? With that end in mind, we can have a relationship with him and strive to live the life God created us for.
Jesus wrote our personal mission statement in the gospel. His mission statement for us takes into account:
When we live with the end in mind, we can focus on walking with our savior, who will be waiting for us at the end.
Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is… But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Psalm 39:4, 7
