THINK TOGETHER
What's the longest race you've ever run? Did you finish the race?
READ TOGETHER
Sometimes right before a person dies they might say something. We call these "last words." If the person was famous, call their last words "famous last words." Harriet Tubman's last words were "Swing low, sweet chariot." George Washington's last words were "Tis well." Steve Jobs, the man who created the Apple corporation, his last words were "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." We don't know the Apostle Paul's last words, but we do know some of the last words he ever wrote before he died. Here are some of Paul's last words he ever wrote:
2 Timothy 4:6-8. 6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
When Paul says that he is going to depart he means that he is going to die soon. Before dying, Paul reflects on his life as a race. Paul says that he ran well (I have fought the good fight), and that he finished the race. He says he followed the rules (I have kept the faith). And he will get the reward – the crown of righteousness.
With his famous last words Paul is telling us that being a Christian is a marathon race, not a sprint. It's a race that every day we have to keep running without quitting. Not a physical race, but a spiritual race that happens in our hearts. We have to keep trusting Jesus. We have to keep believing that we are saved and forgiven without quitting on God's grace.
Notice that Paul doesn't say how fast he "ran," or what place he came in at the end of the race. He only says that he kept running toward Jesus and will until he dies. Paul will get a participation trophy just like everyone who loves Jesus, and he's fine with that. With God there are no losers. Everyone who trusts in him is a winner! To finish the race is to win the race, because Jesus is the prize.
Because of Jesus we are all winners in the race of life.
With Jesus we run the race of faith every single day.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Go for a run, walk, or bike ride together. No winners or loser.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, you ran the race for me. Your famous last words were "It is finished." Help me to trust in your finished work to get me over the finished line with you. Amen.
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