By Shirley Rosemarie Evans
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Acts 20:24 NLT
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
2 Tim 4:6-8 NLT
One of the most dramatic athletic races I can recall took place in the world triathlon in 2016. The British brothers Jonathon and Alistar Brownlee were both strong contenders and hopes were on Jonathon securing gold. It was the final track event when Jonathon got into trouble, he seemed to lose control of his legs and all sense of direction, his brother came to his aid, he put his arm around Jonathon’s shoulders and supported him all the way to the line.
The Christian life is so often described as a race, and as every good athlete knows the race is not over until you cross the finish line. God gives more than enough grace to ensure that we finish well. It is not a sprint but a marathon. A marathon course changes over the twenty-six miles. At times the ground is level and sometimes uphill. They run in the heat and in the rain. In the Christian race, we experience times of abundance, and times of not enough, times of challenges, mishaps, & times where we may fall. But God’s grace is more than enough to ensure that we finish well. In this Christian race, it is not about finishing first, it’s but finishing. So, as any good athlete, we keep going. Like the Brownlee brothers we are never left alone in the person of His Holy Spirit is always there.
Whatever assignment we are on we must finish; we must complete that which God has graced us to do. We can finish well as we stay focused:
Christ Focused
Paul said, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.” Acts: 20:24a. The focus is Christ this is His assignment, and we never get ahead of ourselves wanting to elevate ourselves. We place Christ at the forefront and at the centre of everything we do. In the words of King David, “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted.”
Mission Focused
Paul dedicated his whole life, everything he was and all that he had to finishing the assignment that Christ gave to him. The weight of the statement “My life is worth nothing unless I finish,” cannot but challenge and give us pause for self-examination. Am I so focused? Is the work of the Lord my highest priority and my greatest motivation?
Eternity Focused
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. (2 Tim 4:7-8 NLT)
Wow, to know that your death is imminent and that you have poured out all, leaving nothing back is a testimony of a life spent under grace, fulfilling the work you’re called to do and to be so focused on eternity, confidently declaring that you have remained faithful and have finished the race well. The prize is yours, the “crown of righteousness.” We shall be made perfect and be with Christ for eternity. What a glorious hope may we all eagerly look forward to His appearance.
Ask: Why is the Christian’s life often referred to as a race?
Seek: Where is your focus – are you focusing on Christ, His Mission, & eternity? If not, what will you change?
Knock: Most of us, unlike Paul, do not know when our assignment will be over. Imagine that you know, what testimony would you like to leave for others?
(Upper Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash)
