Finisher

there is nothing sadder than seeing someone drop out of a race. We are competitive beings. but to start something and not finish without good reasoning is just sad. it is one of those moments where one might say: "now that i've dropped out of the race, now i'll never know if i could have won."

the thing about being in a race is that the competitor has an advantage over the casual sideline observer. while in the race, one can see the enemy face to face, smell the enemy, observe the enemy's game up close, but most of all one can see the finish line clearly.

anyone who drops out of a race knows the excitement of starting, but cannot experience the joy of conquering the finish line. be a finisher!

the writer of the book of hebrews compares our relationship with the Lord here on earth to running a race:

'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.' hebrews 12:1.

it takes courage to run a race. sometimes one has to do practice runs, shorter races that prepare you for the bigger race. one needs to train and get in shape for the race. but everyone is required to race. are you ready to shake yourself loose of all those things that hinder you in the race? or will you let these weights hinder you from being a finisher?

sometimes it's not that you win, but that you finish and how you finish, and that is what makes all the difference.

questions
do you need courage to finish a race?

read
joshua 1:9

song in my head
'be strong and take courage. do not fear or be dismayed. for the Lord will go before you and his light will show the way...'