Finish the job.

Finish your plate.

Finish your thought.

Finish the race.

Finish what you started.

Finish strong!

I think about all of these statements and more when I think of the word Finish. It is a word of completion. A strong word that indicates crossing the line and receiving a medal, reward, and/or sense of accomplishment for whatever you are attempting to do.

As I reflected on 2022 and thought about my One Word for 2023, I considered many options. I first started going through the One Word Challenge a couple of years ago based on a friend introducing me to the book by the same name by Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page. I had often thought about themes for the year to go along with the aggressive goals that I had set, so the concept was not foreign to me. What was different about this One Word process was choosing one word and letting that be the driver versus the goals being the main focus. In fact, for this year, I am focusing solely on my one word and allowing that to determine what my goals will be instead of the other way around. And the foundation for all of this is surrendering my hopes, plans, and dreams to God and submitting to His plans and purpose for my life. Through prayer and reflection, the one word that God has given me for this year is: FINISH.

Beyond the motivational nature of the word, here are 3 ways that I intend to live out this word this year:

• Finish What I Start: This will especially be revealed in a few book projects I am working on and will complete this year along with some personal growth initiatives that I will be doing. I want to communicate the message and words that God has put on my heart and not leave that at the foot of good intentions.
• Finish My Fitness Goals: I am going to run the California International Marathon this year and qualify for the Boston Marathon like so many of my friends have done. I also will finish (not just start) a focus on healthy eating and lifestyle. Many of you who know me probably already think I do both of these very well, but I want to be more consistent in this area of my life. Finally, I will be focusing on getting stronger to support the fitness goals I have set. I will not sacrifice my functional strength goals for the sake of more running, cycling, etc. I will make functional strength a vital part of my running, cycling, and triathlon goals and process to improve, grow, and get better.
• Finish My Intentions: I will be the best husband and father I can be to my wife Gina and our 5 boys. While our boys are at different stages of life now, I will always be their father. And while the things we navigate are different than what we discussed when they were younger, the principles are the same with a focus of always being present, listening well, sharing advice when necessary and needed, and always showing the love of Jesus to them. I will also be more active in sharing my faith with others and discipling and mentoring people who God places in my path. With more reminders this past year of how short life is, I want to continue to make the most of the life that God has given me and Finish strong in this area. I also want to relentlessly pursue my calling with purpose and passion. It’s what I should do since God created me and gave me one life to live. Intentions were meant to be realized not just mentioned in a half-hearted resolution.

As you think about this upcoming year, I encourage you to simplify the process of your focus for this year. If you are brave, maybe you will set out to discover one word that can champion your efforts and crystalize your thoughts and actions toward a more purposeful year. You were created for a purpose. My prayer is that you truly discover and realize that with passion and meaningful impact this year and beyond!

Finish will serve as a motivator to me to follow through and a reminder of the great and also haunting quote by Harriet Beecher Stowe:

“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

I don’t want to leave “words left unsaid and deeds left undone” that I know God wants me to FINISH!