3 Keys to Fulfilling Your Divine PurposeSample

Key #2 - Stay Focused

The apostle Paul had a strong finish to his race. If you’ve read about him in the Bible, you know that horrible things happened to him along the way. But he didn’t quit. His life is a great example.

When Paul was headed for Jerusalem (where he knew he was going to end up in prison), he said, “None of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

At the end of Paul’s life, he told Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). When it’s time for me to go heaven, I want to be able to say I finished the race, too. I want to be able to see that my life was a blessing and a help to others, and know that I’m finally headed for my reward. 

Anybody can start a race. It is how you finish that counts. Even when life throws you some tough blows, it is not over until it’s over. Your focus determines how you finish. 

I remember watching a track and field event once, where two runners were neck and neck toward the end. Just as they approached the finish line, the runner who was barely in the lead turned his head to glance at the other runner. (I suppose he wanted to see how close his competitor was.) In that millisecond, he slowed his stride and lost the race. He hadn’t realized the other runner was only inches behind him. When he took his focus off the finish line to look back, he lost the edge. 

There are things to learn from that runner. First, run your own race. The race the other runner is running isn’t your race. He isn’t called to do what you’re called to do, and vice versa. If you get distracted by someone else’s race, you’ll lose your focus and it may cost you.

The second thing to learn is don’t take your eyes off of the finish line. There are many things – good and bad – that will come along and compete for your attention. Stay focused.