John 21 – Finish That Glorifies God: The Only Life Worth Living

Our Mission

“To reach, empower and deploy generations of men in the workplace to live out their faith and multiply their impact for Christ.

John 21:19 NIV “Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’”

As another year closes, an unavoidable question presses in on every man who belongs to Christ:

What kind of life am I living that—if I died today—would glorify God?

Jesus did not merely tell Peter that he would die. He told him how his death would glorify God. Peter’s final breath would be consistent with the direction of his life—faithful, obedient, surrendered, and fully aligned with Christ’s mission.

That raises a sobering question for us: Will ours?

Is a pain-free exit after decades of comfortable disengagement a life that glorifies God? Is retreating into recreation, entertainment, and quiet self-preservation the finish Scripture envisions for men redeemed by the blood of Christ?

We may not all die by crucifixion as Peter did—but we are all called to die on mission.

We can die sharing the gospel.
We can die serving people in ways that display the gospel.
We can die praying, giving, discipling, and laboring for the gospel to increase in prominence and effect in our world.

The location and timing of our death may differ—but the purpose must not.

The critical element of a death that glorifies God is a life that glorifies God.

No man suddenly becomes faithful on his final day. We will not be found glorifying God at the finish line if the race itself was marked by spiritual passivity. What we practice daily is what we will be found doing eventually.

That means positioning ourselves today.

If glorifying God is truly our chief aim—as it must be for all who are in Christ—then our lives must reflect increasing obedience, increasing urgency, and increasing alignment with Jesus’ mission.

Retirement is simply a transition from the vocation that paid for our occupation to full-time freedom for our occupation—the glory of God through making disciples.

For many years, we worked where we were paid. In retirement, we continue the same mission—seeking and saving the lost—only with greater flexibility, greater availability, and often greater impact. The mission field may change, but the mission does not.

We are not waiting to die.
We are preparing to finish faithfully.

To glorify God in death is to live a life of ever-increasing effort to glorify Him now—so that when He comes for us, or calls us home, we are found ready.

And then comes the reward that every faithful servant longs for: the joy of our Master, and the words every man should desire to hear—“Well done.”

Run Today’s Play: Ask yourself honestly:

• If my life ended this year, would it clearly glorify God?
• Am I living on mission—or coasting on comfort?
• What would need to change today for my life to align with the end I want?

Then take one decisive step:

• Re-engage in disciple-making
• Reorder your schedule around obedience
• Redirect your resources toward eternal impact

Don’t wait to glorify God later.

Follow Jesus now—so that whether by life or by death, God is glorified through you.

Our Opportunities

1. We are grateful for the 28k given toward our goal of 40k to conclude 2025—however, the shortage of about 12k places more pressure on the 2026 support. If you can do a special extra gift this month, please do so. Your gifts make this ministry possible.

CBMC Central Michigan 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing 48917 / 517 481 5996 www.lansing.cbmc.com