“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:22-24)

I don’t know if there are any better verses in Scripture to describe the yearning of my heart when it comes to living out my life in ministry. When God has placed a calling on your heart, it is like a starter gun going off at the beginning of a race. The one thing you know for sure is that you have to run. So, you run! But during the marathon, difficulties and doubts arise about whether you should, or even can, finish the race. Paul was right on in these verses when he expressed that he had no option but to continue to move toward Jerusalem, even if the result was not to his personal benefit. The Spirit of God is setting the course for the marathon and we are called to run with the finish line in mind.

God calls us to focus solely on the finish line, not on the course. A focus on the course will play mind games with our eyes of sight. We will quickly get overwhelmed with all the difficulties of the course and grow fatigued and give up. But by focusing on the finish line (eternity in Heaven), we are constantly reminding ourselves that there is a reality more true than the course we are running. The things we face in this life will come and go, but the truths of the kingdom of God are certain and eternal.

Today, let’s set our eyes on the finish line so that we can finish the race before us!

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church