Finishing Well

Seems like lately there have been a lot of public leaders who've been in the news because of their own moral failings.  This is nothing new, but it reminds me of how easily any of us can lose our focus in life and get off track.  We might start well, but finishing well is what really counts.  Someone running a marathon might explode from the starting line and look great.  What happens at mile 14 or 19, though, can make all the difference.  Staying focused on your goal, not giving up, refusing to be discouraged or distracted - all add up to key ingredients necessary to finish well.

Nobody in all of Scripture understands this better than Paul.  Writing to his friends in Galatia about their apparent faltering in their faith, he wrote, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you."  (Gal. 5:7-8)  They had gotten off track, lost their focus, allowed themselves to be distracted.  So Paul exhorts them later in the letter, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up!" (6:9)

Perseverance is a lost art in today's instant gratification world.  When a situation isn't to our liking or we're not happy, we're more likely to quit or compromise than to persevere with integrity.  Knowing that human tendency might have inspired the writer of Hebrews to pen the words, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  (12:1-3)

Giving in, giving up, or compromising our integrity because it's the path of least resistance is a formula for not finishing well.  If we're to reach the end of our life and be able to say with Paul, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing," (2 Tim. 4:6-8) then have to fix our eyes on Jesus, learning to live like Him daily.  Daily following Jesus will get us to the finish line!    You don't win a marathon in an instant.  You win it by carefully executing a series of strides - each one as important as the next.  So, make up your mind today and everyday to follow Jesus in your thoughts, your speech, and your action.  Then, you'll finish well.