“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, …” (2 Timothy 4:6-7, NKJV)
Life can be hard! Life can be challenging! Life brings with it times of sacrificing … for others … for self … but most importantly for the Lord and the cause of Christ.
I can remember having grown a little overwhelmed with the workload while laboring with a wonderful congregation … a work that was growing spiritually followed by physical growth.
I was tired … weary … somewhat discouraged and disappointed in some for not staying in the race … for their choice to run for the sideline rather than finish the race.
So, I did what I have always tried to do … I talked with the Lord a lot. I needed wisdom, patience, and strength to “press on.” And then in my study, I came across an interview a young sailor had with the commander of a nuclear submarine for a position that became available.
Briefly, as the interview progressed, the question came about his personal accomplishments. “Did you do your best?” I had to stop and seriously reflect on the intensity of that piercing question concluding I could do more … be more diligent and persistent … but mostly trust the Lord to give the increase!
I suspect that we all know some brothers and sisters in Christ who simply decided after dealing with various stresses either with work, family, or conscience … to quit on the race to the finish line. They ran to the sideline!
Some made the right choice to lace up their spiritual shoes, stretch, and get back in the race! Praise God for their courage and heart that had not reached the hardened stage.
Others, well, we all know the ending to so many, they simply ran for the sideline, got comfortable in the stands, and died there!
Why do so many fall out before completing the race? Mostly because of the type of race that is required to be run … not a fast dash, not even a longer distance on the track. No, the race God wants us to run is actually a marathon over a course that is at times unpredictable and challenging. We, who are still in the race, know what these terms describe, don’t we?
The life of a faithful child of God requires running through obstacles, dangerous conditions, menacing events, and perhaps even our very lives being offered! No one is perfect and no one runs the race perfectly.
We all stumble … we fall … we might even experience some degree of shock at what just happened … but then … then we remember who we are, what we are, and the goal at the end of the race … and we get up! See Proverbs 24:16; Micah 7:8; Psalm 37:23-24.
The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential Christians that this world had the privilege to see in real-time. What he endured for the cause of Christ, the sacrifices he made willingly, and the untiring effort to share the gospel with anyone who would listen ultimately cost him his freedom on this earth, and his very life! All of this without any regret!
“… I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
The beautiful words quoted in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 are so familiar to those who read and study their Bible. They are more than just words … they are inspired incentives to look beyond death to the reception of “the crown of righteousness” that awaits every participant who chooses to obey the Great Judge of all!
The executioner’s axe could not rob him of his awaiting crown.
Are you doing your best to finish the race … having kept the faith?
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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