The race

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

The apostle Paul wrote these words near the end of his life.  What did he mean by this?  And, how does it relate to us now in these times?  A little background to the time period is helpful.

In the 1st century, The Romans (Paul was a Roman) celebrated both the Olympic games and the Isthmian games.  Competitors would spend up to 10 months before the start of these games in hard physical training.  Because the Corinthians were very familiar with these events, he used it as an analogy for a believer's life of faithfulness.  And also to show how self discipline was necessary to "win the race",  he wrote these words to the church in Corinth:

^"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."  1 Corinthians 9:24-25

He was showing us that we need to be as focused and determined in following Christ as these athletes were in their pursuit of victory.  He knew how hard it was to stay focused and follow Christ when there were so many distractions (daily life) and struggles.  If you have ever run a marathon, you know that staying focused can be the difference between crossing the finish line or quitting at Mile 20.  It's only when we stay focused and "run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus"  that we can block out the pain that comes along with it.  There is no extra energy mentally or physically for distractions and detours. 

So by declaring "I have finished the race", Paul was saying he gave the work of declaring Christ to others absolutely everything he had.  He was done.  His work was completed and he was ready to cross that finish line into Heaven.  He had given all he had and knew that Jesus would be there at the finish line.  He was the "crown that will last forever" that Paul was seeking.  

If you have run enough races, you will learn that a race not run with all you have, is just practice.  It means nothing.  There are no rewards for practice runs.  There are no crowns and you impact no one.  So get in the race!  Be a witness for Jesus Christ.  Proclaim His glory in your victory.  Life is not a spectator sport and neither is serving Christ. 

Whatever race God has given you, short or long, easy or hard, run it with all you have so when your time is done you can confidently say, "I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  And that is a life well lived!!!