The Spirit of A Finisher

John 19:28-30 (NIV)

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."… Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I recently watched my 54-year young uncle cross the finish line of his second full marathon. Six (6) hours. Twenty-six point two (26.2) miles. On foot. Dry, southern, tantalizing eighty six (86) degree heat. As I stood on the side line, I thought…’why, in the world?’ To him and thousands more that day, though, it did not matter. They had a goal. They had the will, the endurance and the focus to finish this race, and no one or thing was going to stop them.

I have to admit, living a holy single life sometimes feels like what I can imagine those marathoners felt that day. It’s a long, long, hot journey, filled with many opportunities—to stumble, to cheat, to quit or to maybe sit down and take a break just for a few minutes—all while running to a finish line that can not be seen. I can imagine also that the same quality of goal-oriented fortitude that motivated them to keep running also kept our Lord and Savior on the cross that day. He knew that beginning His task would not save us. He realized that His ministry of healings and miracles and great works, though all wonderful and powerful occurrences, would all be in vain if He quit before the finish.

Rest assured that this same power to finish rests on the inside of you. When faced with temptation and discouragement, remember your goal to endure this race to the end. Stay hydrated with the word of God, continuously stretch your spiritual muscles by operating in faith, take advantage of the fellowship of other runners to assist with wind resistance and don’t stop until you have finished.

Prayer
Lord, give us the spirit of finishers. Thank you so much for your son Jesus who, though tired, thirsty, beaten and bruised, refused to quit until His assignment was finished. Father, teach us the true meaning of faithfulness, endurance, patience and focus. Help us to submit to you as the author and the finisher of our faith. Thank you Lord that we will begin assignments with the intention, energy and goal of finishing them. Give us the strength to run a race with the assurance that the race, the victory, is not given to the one who is first, fastest or the fanciest, but to the one who finishes. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.