Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Ever feel like a recovering failure? It seems like no matter what your role…wife, husband, mother, father, daughter, son, friend, mentor…you’re missing the mark? Ever feel like because things don’t seem to be turning out the way you anticipated that there must be something wrong with you? Or maybe on the other hand you feel things are going smoothly, and you just want to relax and enjoy the rest of the ride. No matter where we might be on our journey, we all come to crossroads that force us to decide whether we will forge ahead or shrink back.
In regard to these crossroads, Madeleine L’Engle writes, “It is in our responses that we are given the gift of helping God write our story.” We are not predetermined robots, actors playing fixed roles. As long as we have breath, we will be confronted with choices that determine how we finish. Whether in the scripture, politics, business, sports, the church…there is no want for examples of people who start out with good hearts, determination and a clear perspective only to end up bankrupt.
Let the grace of Christ meet you at those crossroads. He has promised not to give us more than we can bear, and he wants us to complete our earthly assignments. No matter what circumstance you may be facing, let Christ be fully formed in you. Finish your race. Never throw up your hands in defeat and premature quitting. The only finishing line that matters is the one that ushers you into his presence. The one where you hear him say, “You fought the good fight, you finished the race, you kept the faith. Receive your crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
That, my friend, will be finishing well….