Finish The Race

Paul’s Last Lap – A Model of Endurance

The apostle Paul, as he approached the end of his life, reflects on the journey he has walked with Christ. He faced immense persecution, suffering, and prison time. He had to fight the raging waves of the seas to survive a shipwreck. He was stoned and left to die. He was rejected by many and had very few friends left. Yet, his testimony was a victorious one. “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race.”

The Christian Life Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

As believers, we are called to not just start the race, but to finish the race. Faith is not about a single moment of commitment but about daily perseverance. When we accept Christ, we enter a lifelong commitment that calls us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). It is not a sprint, but a marathon – a journey of ups and downs, highs and lows, challenges and victories.

When I first became a believer and started reading the Bible, I came across verses that read, “Ask anything in my name and that will I do for you” and “Whatsoever things you ask for in prayer, believe you have received it and it shall be yours” (Mark 11:24). In my immaturity, I thought now that I am Christian, my life is going to be all rosy without any struggles. I had just started my race. But as the race progressed, I learned, being a Christian is tough. It is not for the faint hearted. It is a daily battle with the sinful self. Resisting the flesh’s desires and intentionally opting to obey God and go against your flesh is a battle that can drain your energy and exhaust you mentally. Disciplining ourselves to study the bible daily, spending time alone with God daily in prayer, and meditating on God’s Word throughout the day as you go about your daily tasks is challenging. And on that journey, you will come across other Christians (others running the same race) who do not follow the rules, they take short cuts and some seem to be getting ahead of you. Some others who you thought were going to be with you cheering you on desert you and go their own way. And not to mention, occasional sicknesses, financial hardships, accidents, broken relationships, and false accusations that come your way. Paul experienced all of this and much more and yet he says, I have remained faithful.

When we receive Christ, heaven’s starting-gun fires—but the course ahead is long. Hebrews 12 : 1 urges us to “run with endurance the race set before us.” Like elite marathoners, we will encounter hills, cramps, and moments when quitting seems easier than pressing on.

Whatever the setback, the call remains the same: finish the race. Lean on the Father’s shoulder; accept the Spirit’s power; let fellow believers cheer you forward.

Olympic Grit: Derek Redmond’s Pain-Filled Finish

The walk with Christ is marked by challenges, much like professional athletes’ face. Consider the Olympic games, where athletes dedicate their entire lives to a strict routine of training and diet, all for one single opportunity to showcase their endurance and skill. Their focus is on the finish line, not on the start line. One such example is Derek Redmond, a British sprinter in the 1992 Olympics, whose story resonates with our call to finish well.

In the semifinals of the 400 meters, Redmond tore his hamstring. The pain was intense, and he collapsed on the track, clutching his leg. His dreams of winning a medal were shattered in an instant. Yet, he refused to stay down. With immense determination, he pushed himself up and began to hobble towards the “Finish Line”. As the world watched, his father ran onto the track to support him, helping him cross the finish line.

Sometimes, we may find ourselves injured in our marathon walk of faith. We may feel like giving up. Some of our battles are physical, like illness or fatigue. Others are emotional – doubts, discouragement, depression or due to broken relationships. And still others are spiritual, as we fight temptations and trails designed to weaken our faith. Remember, in these moments, God, like Redmond’s father, steps in and He walks alongside us, strengthens us, and lifts us when we are too weak to go on. Just as Redmond crossed the finish line with his father’s support, we too can finish the race with God by our side.

God’s Strength Shows When Ours Fails

It is not about how fast we run or how flawless our journey has been. It is about perseverance and our unwavering resolve to cross the finish line.

Paul reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Often, when we feel least capable, we are in the perfect position to lean on God’s strength. The trials we face are not meant to defeat us but to refine us and draw us closer to Him.

In the race of faith, our strength is not in our own ability to endure but in our willingness to let God carry us. We cannot finish this race without Him. The times we stumble and fall or feel weak are the very moments He reaches down, lifts us up, and says, “Keep going, I am with you.”

Practical Habits To Help You Finish The Race

• Daily fuel: Scripture, prayer, worship—spiritual carbohydrates for long-distance faith.
• Training partners: Small groups and accountability friends who pace you and pick you up.
• Eyes on the tape: Regularly picture the moment Christ says, “Well done.” Motivation rises when the finish line is clear.
• Celebrate mile-markers: Thank God for every small victory over sin, every answered prayer, every season completed.

In conclusion, God never asked us to run flawlessly; He asked us to cross the line faithfully. One day, like Paul, we too can look back and say with quiet joy, “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race.”

So, dear brother or sister, if you’ve tripped, get up. If you’re limping, lean on Christ. If you’re lonely, let the Father’s arm steady you. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, run the lane marked out for you, and—by His grace—finish the race. The crown of life awaits at the tape.