The Spiritual Man's Obstacle CourseSample

13. The Finish Line (part 3)

Finish Strong

“What we do in life, echoes in eternity.” – Maximus, Gladiator

Jesus is standing at the finish line. Our brothers in Christ are heading there with a fierce force like a pack of lions. But we always have the choice to stay in the pack or drop out of line and start down the mudslide. We know to focus on Christ. And we know together we’ll go further. But the buck stops with you!

We have the honor of speaking into the lives and growth of others. And when we’re willing, we experience the same inputs from others in our own lives. Yet, each man’s spiritual path remains his own responsibility. We can carry each other, but we must also carry ourselves well. Galatians 6:2-5 speaks of how we are fulfilling the law of Christ when we carry each other through adversity. But Paul then also states that we should each play our part by carrying our own load as well.

Later, Paul also said of himself, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14). Previously he also said that he won’t stagnate, thinking he had already arrived. No, instead he will keep going strong, focused on eternity and all that Christ still wanted to do in and through him, until his time came (3:12-13). Consequently, Paul could also invite others to follow his example (3:17).

Eternity awaits us all, but not everyone’s faith and actions will echo there in the same way. For some will grow faint and complacent. Let us, therefore, stay the course of Christ and stay connected to our community of faith. Let us finish strong!

Read Philippians 3:12-21 & Galatians 6:2-5 and reflect on the following:

• What’s your observation(s) from this reading?
• What’s your understanding of finishing strong?
• What’s your biggest obstacle to staying connected to Christ and church?
• What, or who, should you pray for after today’s reading?