When Life Ends….
Today we made a trip to Denver to join my senior softball team for their end of season party. Even though I was not able to play this season they were gracious to invite me and showed a great deal of support and interest in my story. I hope to join them next season, if nothing else as the scorekeeper or designated base coach.
We took the scenic route to Denver on Hwy 287 because of an accident on I-25 that had traffic at a standstill. It worked out better than anticipated but did take extra time. There seemed to be a lot of fall harvest and pumpkin patch activities on a beautiful fall day.
I was pleased today with my level of activity and strength. The guys on my team that had visited me this summer were able to see some marked improvement so that is encouraging. We are spending the night Christian and the grandkids and will attend church at Red Rocks Fellowship on Sunday.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
How do you want your life to be summarized when it comes to an end? What will others say about you, what will you say about yourself? I think it was James Dobson’s mother who said her’s would be, “I told you I was sick!”
Some people have the opportunity to give thought to this and some because of the suddenness of death don’t. So this is something that should be considered sooner than later in life. How you want life to end, has a great impact on how you live your life. In other words, you have to plan for the end today.
As the Apostle Paul came to the end of his life he summarized it as “…having fought the good fight…finishing the race and keeping the faith.” There is a difference between fighting and “fighting the good fight.” There can be many distractions in life that keep us from what our main focus is to be. In life we must choose our battles carefully. Be one who is long on opinions and short on convictions. Convictions are what you are willing to die for, opinions may change over the years or with insights from life and study.
Paul said, he “finished the race.” There are many with good intentions and strong ambitions, they may start strong, but like a sprinter running a marathon they burn out quickly. If strength and training are key to fighting the good fight, endurance is the key to finishing the race. Paul’s endurance was tested in many ways and for many years. It would be easy for him to give up. When I consider that he not only faced persecution and hardship from outside the church but from within the church that can wear on anyone.
Finally he said, “I have kept the faith.” It is important to keep the faith and to remain faithful. As Paul wrote to Timothy he said, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5)
Once again we see faith is something in our life that is tested. Peter refers to “the trial [testing] of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7)
Paul in his life and ministry was witness to those who did not keep the faith. Their faith “became shipwrecked” or they “wandered from the faith.” But Paul had made the resolve that if others walk away, if others fail the test, he would keep the faith!
Paul’s epitaph for his life might not be yours. But fighting the good fight, finishing race and keeping the faith should be the goal of every believer.