03/05/2024
"so that I may finish my race with joy"
Acts 20:24
I know runners. In the past, I have enjoyed watching runners. I am NOT a runner! The Olympic races have held a special interest. The marathons have some really inspiring finishes. The winner is celebrated but the last place finisher can sometimes make you weep with joy. The badly injured African runner said, "My country didn't send me five thousand miles to start the race but to finish it."
In the same vein, I love writers who assiduously study their craft. I have been moved to tears watching a monologue portraying the Apostle John on the island of Patmos. He pondered why he should write. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke had already been written. What if he had decided that he had finished his ministry? My heart can ache thinking of Scripture without the Gospel of John. I have been to about five Christian writers conferences. I like to say that I enjoy fellowship with writers but I am not one. I don't train. I don't practice. I don't allow myself to be critiqued. But I marvel at the craft of those who do these things.
I have no desire to compete in races. I have no ambition to write books. There is a joy I seek. The Apostle Paul wrote, "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 age of seventy six, I consider my race is nearing its completion. May the Holy Spirit enable me to receive the joy of which Paul wrote. His race was assigned by the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Jesus follower, we may consider that we are running a relay race. The baton is passed to each of us. We have all been "sent!" Let us run with endurance the race set before us looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and is now seated at the right hand of God.
For the joy of the Lord, we strain for the finish line. We hunger to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." So we take a new grip with our tired hands and strengthen our trembling knees and persevere to the finish.
Amen!
