“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
I’m a great starter, but not a great finisher. I love doing something new or embarking on some new hobby or project or trip, but once the initial excitement has worn off, I find myself losing speed like an out-of-gas minivan.
Endurance is not my strong suit. Is it yours? If not, you may find yourself tiring of the long haul when things become difficult, or something else catches your attention. Maybe it’s another hobby, or another place or job. Maybe it’s a temptation.
As a Christian, I am not running a sprint, or a 5K. I am not even running a marathon. I am running a race that encompasses my entire life. I am pushing to follow my faith, to answer to whatever God calls me to do, and to reach the end of my days having done the best that I could.
My goal is eternity in Heaven. But it is not a prize I can easily win. Not because I am not trying hard enough, because faith is what leads me there, not works. It is a hard-won prize because there is an obstacle course between here and there.
Pitfalls and temptations and everyday sins that our culture condones and that can eat away at our values. There are tailor-made distractions that draw us away from God, grabbing our focus so we misstep. They are what make it difficult.
In most things in life, I have little endurance. I leave unfinished projects and have lists that never get completely crossed off. I have dreams that may never be realized and ideas that never go farther than a conversation with a friend or my spouse.
But if the only race that I ever finish is the one where Jesus Christ stands at the finish line, then I’m at peace with that.
Press on toward your goal. More than anything else in this world, it’s worth it.
Have a blessed Monday!
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