THE FINISH LINE

Have you ever had a goal that was so very important to you and you almost achieved it but at the last moment it slipped from your grasp?  Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to work and work to bring it about but somehow it escaped you?

My story begins a good number of years ago in my junior year in high school.  I had just completed a somewhat successful season in track as an 880 yard runner. This was before the distances were converted to metric and it became the 800 meter run. I had worked hard all season at the after school practice sessions and I had gotten up many mornings to run a couple of miles before school.   I won some of the meets and set a school record in my favorite event.  Having come in second in the SEK regional meet I qualified for the Kansas state meet in Wichita.  At the state meet I was somewhat pleased with my performance in the half mile having placed 4^th, just out of the medals which were awarded for the first 3 places.  I really wanted to take a medal home but I still had my senior year to compete.

I have to admit that I was somewhat cocky going into the track season in my senior year.    I won most of the meets including the regional meet which qualified me for the state meet for the second time.  One day, one of my teachers asked how I anticipated I would place in the state meet.  As I said, I was somewhat cocky and replied that I should be able to do better than 4^th place allowing me to bring home a medal. 

The day of the meet in Wichita, the day of my final race of my high school career, was bright and sunny, very pleasant.  I was on the field in my sweats preparing to get warmed up when I heard the call over the PA system for the half mile.  What?  How can that be?  Is it really time already?  I haven’t even begun to warm up yet!  How can it be time for the race already?  I quickly made my way to the starting area; all the other participants were ready.  I was not.  I took off my sweats and got into position on the track, did a few quick jumping jacks trying to loosen up and get warmed up.  It wasn’t enough but it was all the time I had.

The starter fired his gun and I ran with the leaders around the first curve.  I was still running with the leaders as we made our way down the back stretch.  As we approached the second curve I ceased up, my legs cramped.  I moved to the left of the track and onto the grass.  My running career was over in an inglorious tumble on the infield.  I would never see that final finish line.  I had been cocky, proud, and boastful, and God had humbled me.

Now, in my eighth decade of life, I approach life’s finish line.  This time I will not falter.  I am prepared.  Through many other people and many events God has primed me for this race.  I am far past the starting line.  I don’t know when the finish line will cross my path; I only know that it will.

Paul wrote in Hebrews 12:1  “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.”

When I read that passage I am grateful for the church family that not only exhibits the Godly life but encourages me to do so as well.  They are an amazing group of believers who have given their lives over to God and truly exhibit the love and compassion of our Savior. 

It is time to rid myself of all the baggage of life that holds me back on my spiritual journey to the final prize.  It is time for perseverance to take hold and endure. 

Again, Paul wrote in Philippians 3:14  “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  The time for preparation is here.  Our race to the finish line of life has begun.  It is in front of us, we know not where, only that it is there.  One day we will cross that finish line and I perceive that the finish line to life will be supernaturally transformed into a new starting line.  It will be the beginning of a new life in and with Jesus.  He is waiting for each of us there on the other side of this life.  What a wonderful experience it will be to look into his eyes, to touch his garment and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”