Time to Wake Up

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

I cannot tell you how many times I have looked at this verse and asked myself, “will this be true of me some day.”  I believe with my whole heart that we can’t wait until tomorrow to start living out this verse.  We have to live it out today!  You can’t wait until next year to concern yourself about the kind of legacy you will leave behind because you’re not guaranteed next year.  You might not even be guaranteed next week, or tomorrow.  That’s not supposed to be a sad thought, it’s supposed to be your “good morning” wake up call!  It’s time to wake up and start living for God in a way that will show people you are running a marathon, not a 100-yard dash.  Will you be able to say you fought a good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith?  Let’s run the race together and finish well!

“I have fought the good fight…”

Paul, the author of 2 Timothy, was looking death in the face.  He was in the Mamertine Prison in Rome awaiting his death by decapitation.  He wrote encouraging words to Timothy, as if to pass a Baton to him and encourage him to run the race before him.  I don’t think that we will ever have to face many of the things that Paul faced on this earth, yet Paul faced things with such peace and endurance.  It’s like he passed the finish line and ran back to let us know how we could get to where he was.  He hasn’t run out of breath or lost his sight on what’s important.  I think sometimes people lose steam when they sign up for things that take a great deal of commitment and lose sight of their first love.  If this is you, please renew your commitment to the Lord and fight the good fight for Him!

“…I have finished the race…”

Paul was very specific when he chose his wording.  He was referring to a long race here in this text.  He understood that the Christian race was not easy.  He could identify with the marathon runners who train to run every year.  I remember when I was little my dad would train to run in marathons.  It was pretty impressive to watch him run with all the other runners.  It was even more incredible to watch him cross the finish line.  I remember my mom would take my siblings and I to cheer for him.  It was so exciting!  I know he never would have been able to finish, if he didn’t train for that marathon.  He ran with all his heart and he never gave up.  He was looking for the finish line.  Even now, I know he’s looking for the eternal finish line.  I feel like Timothy, as he has certainly been a spiritual mentor to me!  Are you running with the finish line in sight?

“…I have kept the faith.”

Paul was referring to guarding the truth of the gospel, the core doctrines of the Christian faith.  In Paul’s day there were a lot of errors circulating about Jesus Christ and he was careful not to be influenced by any of them.  Paul was letting Timothy know how important it is to keep sound doctrine, despite the influence around you.  Paul was able to guard the truth because his roots were planted far into the ground.  We have to know what our core doctrines are to keep them.  You have to know why you are following Jesus to guard your relationship well.  Learn from the Word of God all the essentials of the faith, so that you can keep your faith strong.  May you not be tossed by the winds of false doctrine, false identity, and false hope.  Keep your faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ!

Dear Father God, I pray that You will help me fight the good fight, no matter what the circumstances may be.  I pray You will help me keep my eyes on the finish line.  May my life be founded on the sound doctrines found in Your Word and may I never stray from them!

Desiring to Finish My Race Well,