Finishing Well

There are many stories about foot races in which one contender is many minutes behind the winner of the race. In one, even though the race has been won, she does not stop her run and surrender. She continues to run, and despite the fact that the winner is being congratulated by coach and family, and the crowd is no longer watching a race, she crosses the line.

Some of the crowd notices and begins to laugh, bringing attention back to the track, and the laughter spreads. Then the crowd realizes that whatever she was competing against didn’t include the winner – and therefore, she is a winner, too. The laughter changes to applause, and then standing applause…

Finish what you start. Don’t surrender to anyone but Jesus.

How can I repay the Lord
all the good He has done for me?
I will take the cup of salvation
and worship the Lord.
I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all His people.
(Psalm 116:12-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©)

I sank to the foundations of the mountains;
the earth with its prison bars closed behind me forever!
But You raised my life from the Pit, Lord my God!
As my life was fading away,
I remembered the Lord.
My prayer came to You,
to Your holy temple.
Those who cling to worthless idols
forsake faithful love,
but as for me, I will sacrifice to You
with a voice of thanksgiving.
I will fulfill what I have vowed.
Salvation is from the Lord!                                                                              (Jonah 2:6-9 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©)