Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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.

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 a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.