The
Finish Line
By Karen D’Amore
Do you not
know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a
way to get the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)
It’s become a familiar scenario at
every race! In that final mile, as my lungs gasp for air, my legs buckle with
weariness, and I wrestle with the temptation to quit the race…the moment I get
a glimpse of the finish line, “something” compels me to dig deep, kick into
high gear and sprint to the finish. Personally, I believe that “something” has
to do with seeing the “light at the end of the tunnel.” In a race, the FINISH
line serves as a marquee, denoting the conclusion of the race…advancing the runners
to their awaiting prize. Every race has a prize, be it a t-shirt, a medal, a
trophy, cash or the thrill of victory in the applause of the crowd.
Throughout Scripture, the believer’s
life is likened to a long-distance race resembling a marathon. The Apostle Paul
exhorts us to run with the resolve to win an eternal prize: the crown of life.
When my friend Pam was diagnosed with terminal cancer, we spoke candidly about her
eternal prize…the hope of heaven! Not knowing how many miles she had left in
the race of life, she prayed for a marathon.
A bucket list of final wishes spurred her to persevere, to stay in the race.
For eighteen months, Pam maintained
a steady pace, running her cancer-hurdled course with grace and endurance. Once
her body lost the ability to leap the increasing hurdles, she was diverted into
hospice care. Knowing she was running her final mile, within a few days of
hospice placement, she sprinted across her eternal finish line. As a
metaphorical spectator, I’d like to believe that as Pam laid in that hospice
bed…once she got a glimpse of her eternal FINISH line…and saw “THE LIGHT at the
end of the tunnel,” the reflection of God’s shekinah glory compelled her to
sprint to the finish.
With Scripture revealing “THE LIGHT
at the end of our eternal tunnel,” believers have an everlasting glimpse
of The Finish Line! “Therefore we do not
lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away - -inwardly we are being
renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4: 16-17, NIV).
In the race of life, when hardships
and hurdles obstruct the course, don’t quit!
Stay focused on THE LIGHT. Persevere
to the FINISH. This is where your
eternal prize awaits; a prize gloriously surpassing any medal or trophy this
world has to offer!
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
What prize are you running for?
FURTHER
READING:
Married to Dan, Karen, a retired
police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and Foot
Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s on the Oakwood Women’s
Ministry Special Events planning team.
