Finishing Strong!

Well, it happened again, and it was so awesome!

Andrew, my son-in-law, as I mentioned in yesterday’s post, is my running partner.  When we participate in races, he usually takes off from me about a ¼ of way to the finish line.  You see, he is 35 years younger than me.  Enough said.

So what’s the point you ask?  When I round the turn and head into the stadium for the finish line, he is always standing there waiting for me, cheering me on.  Sometimes, he even runs back to where I am and runs with me to finish line!!  Wow!

You know, Andrew could stand at the finish line and speak in an impatient manner, “Why doesn’t he hurry up?  Doesn’t he know I’ve got things to do?” or with a tone of disgust, “What’s taking him so long?” or with a critical heart “He’d make better time if he learned to run better or breathe better or think better!!” or with words of disdain, “I always have to wait on him!”

Everywhere you turn in this world, you will hear words of criticism, disgust, disdain, anger, impatience, sarcasm, cynicism, discouragement, and fear.

You also see in daily life at home, work, school and the gym the continual outpouring of selfishness, me-first mentality, pushing to get ahead, victim-dominated life, which has no thought for the people around you.

Let me ask you, “Who are you helping today to get to the finish line?”

• Who needs you to speak an encouraging word to them as they finish that work project?
• Who needs you to share the Gospel with them so they are ready for the finish line of this life?
• Who needs you to run alongside them in their battle with cancer?
• Who needs you to stop and pray with them at the restaurant so they can finish the day strong in the Lord?
• Who needs you to cheer them on in the midst of a long day of parenting so they can finish well?

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Today, fix your gaze on Christ, point others to Christ, and keep running the race set before you. While you’re at it, bring someone else along. Help them finish strong!

Thanks, Andrew, for helping me finish.