By: Eu Hong Seng.
There are many ways one can run a race. To complete his race, the least a runner has to do is to cross the finishing line. It’s a simple enough principle, yet it can be a lot harder to achieve than imagined.
Many Christians are fast off the starting block – but the sad truth is most of us will not make it past the finishing line as strong as we started out, if we do cross it at all.
Well aware of the weakness of the flesh, Paul exhorts us to reach forward and press toward attaining the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:8-14). To put it plainly, the race before us as Christians is not an aimless stroll in the park, but we are to run it well and to finish it strong.
Consider the following points to help ourselves along the way.
1. Start and end with Humility
The proverbial story of the tortoise and the hare reminds us that humility helps to take us farther than we think. Groups function well when members within always consider others better than themselves.
2. Don’t go through life without a philosophy
The objective is to arrive at the real destination. Unfortunately, many of us are like engines that go everywhere, never really knowing where the final stop is to be. To minimize distractions that often tire and wear us out, determine from the onset what our philosophy is – in general, in life, in ministry and in leadership.
3. Beware of Pitfalls in Life
Just as pot holes are hazardous on roads, we can expect the Christian journey to be fraught with pitfalls along the way. Generally, pitfalls can come in unsuspecting forms – a wrong choice in spouse; inability to surrender our will; failure to “survive Church”; or even incorrect priorities in handling career, money, kids, sex and studies.
4. Ensure the Essentials of Christian Life
It helps to constantly check that our spiritual physiology is in order. Do we have a hearing Ear? An obedient Heart to obey the will of God? A generous hand where our wealth not only impresses but touches others? Are our Feet shod with the Gospel, passionate to save the lost? Are we living a spirit-filled life and consistently found in a learning posture?
5. Know our Life Models
The twelve tribes of Israel still exist today in essence and characteristics. It has been suggested that spiritually we each belong to a tribe. It is well worth our while to study the strengths of the tribes and consider which one we may model our spiritual life after.
6. Consider our Ultimate Contribution
Everyone desires to have his or her life count for something at the end of the day. Upon our passing, some of us may leave behind legacies, while others will have lasting testimonies. While legacies are subject to the sovereign will of God based on individual circumstances and gifts, we all have the opportunity to build our own testimonies through our character.
A good testimony usually consists of more than one or two things. When people look at our lives, they should get inspired. Regrettably, many of us are content to live and serve without passion – ending up being uninspiring, perhaps even boring Christians.
In the hectic blur of travel over the past few years, I have developed the habit to stop now and then, to appreciate the scenery. I have since learned it is enjoying the journey that makes it doubly worthwhile to get to my destination. As yet another new year begins, I pray that we will continue to run our race and aim to enjoy the trip to the finishing line.
Run strong, finish well. Not everyone will, but everyone can. May your run be an inspired and inspiring one.