2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith.”
My first spiritual mentor left his dying wife and four children for a young man. The teacher I idolized most at Bible College left his wife and daughter for a younger woman. Both of these men had been much used by God in many different settings in a number of countries – but right now it doesn’t look like they are planning to finish well.
John Akwiri was a Tanzanian marathon runner at the Mexico Olympics of 1968. Several hours after the end of the race, as the day’s activities had just come to an end, people were emptying out of the stands and heading home. Just then Akwiri entered through the tunnel and embarked on his last lap in the stadium after just under twenty six miles around the city. His face was contorted in agony, his cramped feet shuffled along, and progress was painfully slow. Gradually the crowd caught on and started cheering wildly. When Akwiri crossed the finishing line, the noise was deafening. At a press conference afterwards, he was asked by the interviewer: “You were so far behind. Why didn’t you just give up?” He replied, “My country, Tanzania, of which I am very proud, didn’t send me here to start the race, but to finish it.”
In seeking to finish the race, and finish well, we will need persistence and determination. We will press on through trials and difficulties. Finishing strong is not a matter of talent or genius – there are plenty of gifted and talented men and women who never finish the Christian race. It’s not a matter of education or social standing, but of disciplined, dogged, tenacious persevering, walking closely in Jesus’ footsteps, heeding his call, obeying his commands, fulfilling his commission.
Lord, I am desperate to be able to echo Paul’s words at the end of my life too. Help me to remain humble, disciplined, and finish strong. For you glory, Amen!
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