Crossing the Finish Line

Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up.

– Hebrews 12:3

It's one of the most remarkable scenes in Olympics history.   

The year was 1992, and 65,000 cheering fans packed the stadium in Barcelona, Spain, for the men's 400-meter race. This was Derek Redmond's second attempt for a medal. Four years earlier at the Seoul, South Korea, games, an Achilles tendon injury had forced him to drop out just minutes before the contest.

The race started well this time, with Derek — the British record holder — quickly taking the lead. But only 175 meters from the finish line, his right hamstring gave way. Derek began to hop and then slowed down before finally collapsing to the track. Medical personnel rushed to his aid to remove him on a stretcher. But with tears in his eyes, Derek refused to let his dream die.

"No," Derek told them. "I'm going to finish my race."

The injured athlete slowly rose from the track and hobbled in pain toward his goal. Jim Redmond, Derek's father, began pushing his way through the crowded stands as soon as he saw his son pull up lame.

"That's my son," the elder Redmond yelled to the bewildered security guards. "And I'm going to help him."

With 65,000 fans giving the pair a tremendous standing ovation, Jim Redmond did just that. He helped his son — painful step by painful step — round the track and cross the finish line.

Is it hard to relate to this story? When it comes to our faith-journey, we, too, can’t do it alone. Jesus told his early followers to expect obstacles and opposition. What’s more, he warned that following the crowd and taking the easy route leads to guaranteed disaster:

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it," Jesus says. "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Jesus is that small gate. And there's no other way to victory over pain, sorrow, and death except by placing our faith on him alone. So, wherever you are along your faith-journey, ask God to help you cross the finish line to victory. The reward will be far greater than a gold-plated medal and a standing ovation.

The Rest of the Story

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

– 2 Corinthians 12:10

Paul Harvey’s remarkable career in radio spanned eight decades and began while he was still in high school. His broadcasts were heard on about 1,500 stations and his commentaries appeared in hundreds of newspapers. No doubt he was best known for a segment of his program called The Rest of the Story: a five-minute, true-life narrative that always concluded with a surprising — and often uplifting — twist revealing greater meaning and purpose in an otherwise mundane or difficult situation.

The Rest of the Story maintained its popularity over the years because it always resonated with Harvey’s millions of listeners. They readily identified with the famous announcer’s depictions of the unpleasant realities and struggles faced by the common man (and woman).  

What unpleasant realities have you had to face?  Whatever they are, it’s a fact of life that you can count on enduring more. Sometimes they come out of the blue, like an auto accident or a natural disaster. And others might be more of our own making, like an arrest for drunk driving or the agony of a broken marriage. The difference for Christ-followers, however, is that we have access to a loving Father who’s here to help us get through the hardest of times. We worship a caring God who gives us both faith and hope. 

God also specializes in taking the worst situations and turning them toward good. For example, the first Christ-followers were stalked, arrested, and sometimes executed for worshipping Jesus. But this only caused the new, upstart faith to spread far and wide from Jerusalem and into Asia and Europe. And what can we learn from the apostle Paul’s life story? Although he spread the Gospel across the Mediterranean and made many converts, he spent years in jail before his eventual execution. And that might sound like wasted potential. Couldn’t God have kept Paul free so he could preach to thousands more and establish other churches in distant lands?

Yes, God could have done that. But he had a much better plan for advancing the name of Jesus. While Paul was in shackles, the so-called Apostle to the Gentiles spent his time writing much of what we know today as the New Testament — words of truth that over the centuries have helped lead millions of men and women away from their destructive lifestyles and over to abundant lives and eternal life. And it’s all because ours is a God who already knows The Rest of the Story.

Staying the Course

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

– Proverbs 3:5

The Christ-follower’s faith-journey is often compared to travel along an uneven, winding road or a perilous climb up a craggy mountainside. After all, we never know what’s around the bend or over the next hill. Our vision is limited. And it’s all too easy to lose our footing on the steep inclines and fall back a little — or maybe even a lot.

A good illustration involves Crabtree Falls — a popular destination in Virginia’s scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Located about a half-hour’s drive past Charlottesville, visitors must complete a strenuous hike once they’ve parked their vehicle. But it’s well worth the effort because the view is spectacular.

Like our faith-journey, the narrow, rocky trail that leads to Crabtree Falls leaves little margin for error. There’s even a sign at the water’s edge that warns hikers to stick close to the path. But about 10 years ago, a college student died after slipping on the moss-covered rocks and falling 80 feet. Rather than staying the course and keeping his eyes on the marked trail, he decided to take an ill-advised detour. His way may have promised fun and adventure. Sadly, it delivered only tragedy.

“There is a way that appears to be right,” we’re warned through the book of Proverbs. “But in the end it leads to death.”

Scripture — like that sign posted near the waterfall — urges us to remain on the path that leads to the intended destination. But as obvious as that sounds, we all know that life’s problems, temptations, and tragedies seem to await us at every turn. The result is that we trip up after compromising our principles with the world’s values. It’s then that we fall, and later wonder why God permitted our mishap.

Rather than potholes, loose rocks, and hairpin turns, the dangers along our faith-journey include unemployment, broken relationships, missed credit card payments, and illness. Our task is therefore to focus on our Guide while remembering that we worship a God who’s much greater than our circumstances. He’s led us safely through the rough times before … and he can do so again today. It’s through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ, that God has already defeated our greatest life-hazard: sin.

Is the pathway along your faith-journey getting too rough these days? If it’s not now, it will later. But let’s be encouraged by that famous rhetorical question from the apostle Paul: 

“If God is for us,” he asks, “who can be against us?”

The takeaway here is that we must closely follow Jesus’ lead to avoid life’s many detours and distractions. It’s by keeping our eyes on him and staying close by that we’ll safely reach the summit of our faith-journey. Rest assured, the trip will be unforgettable … and the view will be out of this world!

Liberty or Death

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

– 1 Corinthians 9:19

Americans enjoy countless rights and privileges protected through federal, state, and local laws. And the First Amendment of the United States Constitution even guarantees our freedom to worship God as we see fit. But if we look at things through Jesus’ perspective, no one (of any nationality) has any real freedom. The truth is that we’re all slaves!

Regardless of what’s written in our Bill of Rights or President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, everyone without exception is a slave to someone or something. They might not have literal chains around their ankles. But as Jesus puts it so bluntly:

“I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

This type of sin represents bondage to the world’s values, and it comes in many forms. It might be slavery to money and possessions, pleasure, fame, career — or even religion. But whatever its form, it boils down to substituting false, man-made gods for the One and Only True Creator.

Christ-followers are also slaves. The big difference, however, is that they willingly choose to give up the temporary things of this world for the true freedom gained from an eternal relationship with the Savior.

“Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey,” writes the apostle Paul, “whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

Paul’s question reveals that our choice is one of liberty or death: following Jesus or following sin.

Is this a difficult decision? Let’s remember that our earthly possessions aren’t really our own, and we certainly can't expect them to last. We can lose our jobs unexpectedly through a layoff, and our homes and property can be ruined through a natural or man-made disaster. Serious health issues can arise at any time. And let’s face it: the mortality rate for everyone is 100%.

The fact is that one day we WILL lose it all in one way or another. And unfortunately, most people will choose to do it through their slavery to sin. But there’s a far better and more satisfying choice: bondage to a very kind master through acceptance of Jesus’ generous offer of eternal life.

"Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever," Christ assures us. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

 

Breakfast of Champions

What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

– 2 Timothy 1:13-14

The World public radio program reports that more people are running in marathons than ever before. In fact, the approximately 800 organized 26.2-mile races around the globe are filling up fast, and many are setting new records for participation.

Many of the estimated 1.1 million runners who’ll complete a marathon this year adhere to a special diet to help them start their race well. In her Runner's World article The Healthy Runner's Diet, Liz Applegate recommends a regimen of seeds, fruits and vegetables, plant foods with their skins intact, milk and milk products, foods originating from cold water (like fish and other seafood), plus meat, poultry, and eggs from free-range or grass-fed animals. These powerful foods, says Dr. Applegate, promote good health and peak athletic performance for long-distance runners. And as most marathoners understand, eating the right foods can mean the difference between finishing the race in record time — or dropping out with miles still to go.

A similar principle applies to Christ-followers. After all, our spiritual race isn't a jog or even a sprint. Instead, it's a life-long marathon. And it's to this end that we strive for lives that produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Unfortunately, we tend to feed on negative influences through our poor choices in relationships and entertainment. Expressions of jealousy, bitterness, and frustration are common examples of what can happen when we fail to consume the right spiritual foods for going the distance.

Every Christ-follower — just like every participant in the world-famous Boston Marathon — needs to prepare and start well for the long and demanding race ahead. And a smart way to start is with ongoing prayer … as well as a continual awareness that we can't make it without the Spirit living within us. That means instead of living one day at a time, we're to proceed moment-by-moment. Second, let's filter our thinking. Do the movies we watch, the websites we visit, and the friends we make feed our spirit — or our sinful nature? And finally, we need to die to ourselves each day by constantly watching for the traps and obstacles that can run us off course. In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul tells us that his spiritual diet and rigorous training paid off along his journey of faith:

"I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. At last the champion's wreath that is awarded for righteousness is waiting for me. The Lord, who is the righteous judge, is going to give it to me on that day. He's giving it not only to me but also to all those who have set their heart on waiting for his appearance."

Whether you're a brand-new Christ-follower or you've been a believer for years, the old saying is true: You are what you eat. So, to start well, be sure to choose the right spiritual diet — the one that’s guaranteed to take you across life’s finish line to victory.

Swiss Army Knife

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

– 1 Timothy 6:6-8

If it takes the right tool to do the job, chances are that the Victorinox Swiss Army knife is it. 

First produced in 1891 for — as its name suggests — the Swiss army — this folding, all-in-one pocketknife is easily recognized by its red handle and cross logo. The iconic cutlery is produced in dozens of models with ingenious implements including corkscrews, tweezers, bottle-openers, can openers, and even nail files. Its newer models feature everything from USB computer storage drives to laser pointers. And there’s even a 9-inch-wide version with 85 tools for the outdoorsman who has everything.

Speaking of having everything, God has blessed us with a nation of plenty. And although millions of Americans seemingly have it all, we live amidst an epidemic of discontent. The more possessions we gather and the higher we climb the corporate ladder, the more unfulfilled and disillusioned we become. And rather than thanking God for his blessings and making the most of them, we wonder if they’re all there is to life.

This contagious disease comes with some nasty symptoms. Those afflicted often turn to alcohol, street drugs, illicit relationships, and gambling to ease the pain. They find that things might get better for a while. But their hunger for fulfillment returns eventually.

This problem is hardly new, and it's not confined to the United States or even Western society. In fact, the Bible addressed the issues of naught and disappointment centuries ago. And its advice is as valid today as it was back then.

First, let’s consider the many ways God blesses us. They could include family, career, health, and friends — just to name a few. Next, we need to stop comparing our possessions with our neighbor’s stuff. Marketers thrive when they convince us that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

The only remedy is found in the One known as The Great Physician: Jesus. And a growing relationship with him produces contentment because there's nothing bigger, better, or more necessary in life. Comparisons fall away and material things lose their luster. With Christ as our Master, what was once so important soon fades into obscurity. 

Does this sound simplistic or too good to be true? The cutting-edge truth is that contentment is just inches away — the distance between our head and our heart.

“I know how to live when I am poor, and I know how to live when I have plenty,” the apostle Paul tells us through Philippians 4:12. “I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens, when I have enough to eat and when I go hungry, when I have more than I need and when I do not have enough.”

Honor Roll

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 

– 1 Timothy 5:17-18

Several years ago, a well-known beverage company launched a series of TV and radio commercials titled Great American Heroes. Each ad recognized those faceless individuals who labor diligently behind the scenes to support the American lifestyle. And what made the commercials memorable were their over-the-top scripts and theme music, which saluted the accomplishments of such working-class heroes as Mr. Backyard Bug-Zapper Inventor, Mr. Jelly Donut Filler, and Mr. Driving Range Ball Picker-Upper.

“Without you, Mr. Giant Foam Finger Maker, our teams would be in sixth or seventh place,” proclaimed the announcer.

Although these advertisements were absurd, their celebrations of the Average Joe were in many ways on the mark — at least when it comes to Jesus. For example, society tends to idolize sports stars, musicians, actors, and even politicians. And there are times when firefighters, police officers, or others are lauded (and deservedly so) for their bravery and heroics. But Christ tells us that Biblical reality is quite the opposite. From God’s perspective, “many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”

The world defines success as doing what it takes to reach the top … and then stay there. And in many cases, it contends that the ends (success and fame) justify the means. But for Christ-followers, that road to success is nothing but a dead end. There’s nothing wrong with succeeding in business or making lots of money. The trouble comes when wealth, fame, and power become the focus of our lives. Rather than worshipping and living our lives for the Creator, we risk worshipping a flawed creation that eventually falls apart. A more Christ-centered approach is to descend the world’s ladder of greatness in favor of authentic humility and servant leadership. 

Maybe we’ll never get the limelight from a TV commercial like Mr. King of the Karaoke Mike or Mr. Souvenir Snow Globe Maker. But when we put our faith in Jesus and ask him to use us to help build his kingdom and do his will, we’ll one day receive the incredible honor of hearing these high words of praise:

“Well done, good and faithful servant. With you I am well pleased.”