The Finish Line

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

I’ve never run in a marathon, but I admire watching people cross the finish line—especially those who know they have absolutely no chance of winning the prize. Perhaps for them, finishing the race is prize enough. The apostle Paul rejoiced that he had not only begun the race but he had also finished it. What did he get in return? A robust faith in God and a life filled with God’s powerful presence.

Did Paul have a life on easy street? Hardly! In the book of Acts and 2nd Corinthians we learn that he faced persecution, misunderstanding, betrayal, death threats and more. No one could possibly conclude that his life was easy, yet he stayed in the race.

Like it was with Paul, your faith in God isn’t proven merely on beginning the race, but also by enduring to the end—crossing the finish line. We’d all do well to model our life after Paul and live in such a way that we can exclaim, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” (2nd Timothy 4:7)