Steven Covey’s well-known principle, “Begin with the end in mind,” from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, aligns deeply with a biblical truth found in Ecclesiastes 7:8:
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Although Covey popularized the phrase, the idea originally stems from the wisdom of the Holy Spirit through Solomon. As I begin this season with Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH), I want to align my heart with this concept: to be shaped by the end vision—the hope we find in Christ—and live in light of it.
One of my favorite passages that illustrates this mindset is 2 Corinthians 5:16-21:
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
This passage is full of life-changing truth. The concluding verse—“For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”—is one that every follower of Christ should commit to memory. It reveals the core message of our faith: because of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, God has made us righteous in Him. This truth is astounding.
Ultimately, the end we hope for is the completion of our sanctification, the day when we will stand fully glorified in God’s presence. Until that day, however, our mission is to pursue reconciliation—not just between individuals but between God and people, especially within the BCH community and among those we serve.
Reconciliation is one of the most beautiful experiences we can have. When broken relationships are restored, the sense of relief and joy is incomparable. One of the Bible’s most memorable stories of reconciliation is the parable of the Prodigal Son. After wandering far from his family, the son returns, humbled and ready to be restored. His father, filled with joy, does not dwell on the past rebellion. The only thing that matters is the reunion—the son is home again.
This picture of reconciliation resonates deeply with me. It’s not the victory of battles or the accomplishment of goals that moves me most, but the restoration of relationships.
We were created as relational beings—first, to be in relationship with God, and second, to live in harmony with one another. When we are separated from the Lord, life becomes hollow and without meaning. In the beginning, everything was good and right between God and humanity, but sin shattered that perfect relationship. However, God, in His mercy, provided Christ to restore all things.
As 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 reminds us, we are made new through Christ, and God has reconciled us to Himself. Even more astonishing is the fact that He entrusts us with the ministry of reconciliation.
As I step into this exciting new role at BCH, my prayer is to faithfully serve with the end in mind. I am committed to celebrating and championing BCH’s mission: sharing hope and changing lives. At the heart of this mission is reconciliation—a restoration that is only possible through the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Together, as God’s people, may we live in the reality that we have been made right with God. Let us approach every relationship as His ambassadors, carrying the privilege of representing King Jesus. Through our work, we proclaim the Gospel, share hope, and witness the transformation of lives.
May we never forget that our ultimate end is being in the presence of our Savior, fully reconciled and complete. Until that day, let us labor faithfully in the ministry of reconciliation, trusting that the hope of Christ will change lives—one relationship at a time.
Written By David Melber, Chief Executive Officer
NOTE: David Melber began as Baptist Children's Homes' Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on January 1, 2025. Learn more about David at bchfamily.org/ceo.