Crossing Your Finish Line

For our HITC students the finish line is in sight. They're on the last 100m of a marathon they've been running this past year. I'm extremely proud of this year's amazing students and all they've accomplished. They've grown and been stretched in ways they'd never imagined they could be and have done things they thought they'd never do. Nevertheless the race isn't quite over as there's still 100m to run. Just because the finish line is in sight certainly doesn't mean that they can ease up, slow down or coast. These last 100m are probably the most important. Their race must be finished strong and well. It's the same way with so many other areas in our lives. Just because something is almost over or completed, it's easy for us to feel the need to slow down. But think for a moment about how you want to cross the finish line. Do you want to be advancing and break the finish tape? Or do you want to simply walk across the finish line? When I think about the apostle Paul, he finished his race, but not at a decreasing pace. He continued to run his race with boldness, confidence and endurance. I think everyone at times has thoughts about slowing down or even giving up, but it's in those times that we find our second wind in Christ. He's the one we must turn to for our strength, endurance and encouragement. With whatever you're involved with, finish your race well, regardless of those things around you that are trying to stop you from finishing. Be the finisher that God's called you to be and be encouraged by Hebrews 12:1. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." If you listen carefully you can hear the huge crowd in heaven that's cheering you on right now!