"FINISHING WELL"

Hours behind the runner in front of him, the last marathoner finally entered the Olympic stadium. By that time, the drama of the day's events was almost over and most of the spectators had gone home. This athlete's story, however, was still being played out. Limping into the arena, the Tanzanian runner grimaced with every step, his knee bleeding from an earlier fall. His ragged appearance immediately caught the attention of the remaining crowd, who cheered him on to the finish line. Why did he stay in the race? What made him endure his injuries to the end? When asked these questions later, he replied, "My country did not send me 7,000 miles away to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it." __Quote magazine, July 1991
"Finishing" was the thing that kept him going in spite of the injuries. The thought of being a disappointment to his country was enough to keep him limping along to the finish line. What an inspiring story! Perhaps this is the kind of motivation Paul had in mind when he wrote the believers in Corinth: "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." [1 Cor.9:27] It was important to Paul not only to have a good "beginning" but also a good "finish." There are a lot of good "starters" but few good "finishers." As I enter the autumn of my ministry, I have an over-powering desire to "finish well." I realize how quickly a ministry can be negated by a careless word or deed. I certainly don't want to be a spiritual "castaway."
Paul mentions several things that will help us to finish well. First of all, we must run in such a way as to win and to stay focused on the goal. Secondly, we must be disciplined and exercise self-control in "all" things. Notice that Paul doesn't say "some" things but "all" things. When we follow these instructions we become a runner who stays focused on the race and the goal; we become a fighter who does not just beat the air with his gloves; we become a "finisher." With Paul, I want to "press on" toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I have a higher calling than the runner from Tanzania for my calling is from God. The thought of disappointing my Lord drives me on and with the help of His Holy Spirit . . . I will "finish well."