Racing PAST the Finish Line

Arriving at the finish line before anyone else is the goal of any race.  

I was listening to a fitness instructor talk about how when she works out, she wants to go a little past the finish line. She doesn’t stop just before or AT the finish line, her sights are set BEYOND the finish line.

Wow, that really made me stop and think about my spiritual walk – my spiritual race to the finish line. 

Am I doing just what I need to get to that spiritual finish line?  Following our checklist of good deeds, repentance, prayers and obedience to God’s word, are we doing all these things in order to get TO the finish line?

OR – are we stretching ourselves a little further and looking PAST the finish line? Are we going to push a little extra in our walk, a little extra in our prayer life, a little extra in our time with God.  Or are we doing “just enough” to get us there.

Where is our focus?  Are we looking simply at the finish line or are we looking PAST the finish line?  

For me, the finish line is just that – it’s the end, the race is over.  But the part that lies BEYOND the finish line, isn’t that what we are REALLY seeking.. That part is JUST the beginning-  

So I have to look PAST the finish line –  look at the “What comes AFTER the finish line” –  to keep me looking forward to the prize instead of backward to what is behind us.

Philippians 3:14: Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

James 1:12: Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

You hear terms like “Beyond the horizon” or “over the rainbow”. We all want to see and know the mystery of what’s on the other side., What's over that horizon and rainbow?

Sometimes we are afraid of what might be on the other side, or behind that door, or what’s around the corner.  

During these uncertain times, we may be finding ourselves a bit shaky about what’s around the corner…Financial struggles, health struggles, what will happen with the schools, our jobs, will we ever meet in churches again and have birthday parties and concerts and graduations?  

Sometimes things are scary when we don’t know what to expect.  I think as Christians our greatest fear is persecution, and worry for our kids and grandkids.

Matthew 6:33-34:  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Luke 12: 25-26: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

The Bible also tells us that in this world we will have stress and struggles, but we are to look to him through it all…

John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 We may not know what will unfold tomorrow or even the next day.  But we do know what lies BEYOND the finish line…  Christ’s face.   Christ’s eternal love.  Christs’ embrace.   Finally – we will be home and we will hear Christ’s words saying “Well done good and faithful servant”