The Race Set before Us: Six Steps to Finishing Well

We’re all running. The clock is ticking. Each step takes us closer to the finish line. We run on toward the goal; the tape; the finish line; and the end of a race we can't see but know is real. And man, can this race be tough! We each carry some baggage, weights, and hindrances. The snares and entanglements that exist in the terrain we run through cause us to trip and stumble. This is definitely no race for sissies!

For those of us who are believers – Christ followers – we’ve each been assigned a race… one trip around this earthly track of life, in the flesh, running into our eternal destiny. For some, this race is a sprint; for others, a middle distance run; and for some, a marathon. But we all share the reality of running a race that comes with an obstacle course. Many things get in our way as we run. We sometimes struggle against the thought of giving up and hope to ‘press on’ to finish strong. Nobody’s race is easy but, unlike some races, in this race there will be more than one winner! In fact, in this race – the real race that each of our lives represents in the eternal picture – everyone can win. Some won't, but everyone has the opportunity. To win is to finish life and to hear our Master say, "Well done; great race!"

What will be the criteria for winning? Simply put, it is to be and to do what we’ve been designed for and sent here to be and do… according to His definitions and plans. Interestingly, His criteria have very little in common with those our culture holds high! We’ll look at God's criteria and examine six tactics we need to incorporate in our lives to accomplish them. But first, let’s consider the weights, snares and entanglements that we all struggle with. There are at least nine types of struggles:

1) Unbelief
2) Complacency and compromise
3) Self-righteousness
4) The fear of, or desire for, the approval of man
5) Love of sensual or fleshly pleasure
6) A worldly mindset or paradigm of life
7) Self-confidence
8) Hubris or arrogance
9) Distracting and ungodly thoughts

Although you might be able to cite a few more types of struggles, they will likely be variations related to those we’ve already listed. As we run, these nine snares are constantly jumping up at the least opportune times and threatening to trip us up or even temporarily knock us off the track. Which of them do you identify with right now? Have you tripped over any lately? They are strategically placed by a purposeful antagonist whose job it is to test our commitment and desire to win our race. His minions have worked for millennia to distract, deflect, and discourage millions of runners. Our sovereign trainer hasn’t left us defenseless, however. We can win if we listen. Beyond prayer, Christ-centered fellowship, and God’s intervention, He has given us at least nine exercises that we can personally use to get past the snares and traps. Succeeding in our race by making the most out the opportunities the Lord has given us involves diligently using the following tools:

1) Faith in God and His Word
2) The eternal perspective of life
3) Meekness in serving others
4) Trust in God's opinion of us
5) A stewardship focus on God's Kingdom
6) Embracing the ‘Narrow Path’ or the ‘Way of the Cross’
7) Humility
8) Accurate self-assessment
9) Taking every thought captive to Christ

We all run but, in fact, we aren’t running alone. Nor do we run merely in our own strength, unless we choose to do so. The One who designed and sent us to run this race runs with us and in us. He urges us on, warning us of dangers ahead, and helping us up when we fall or become discouraged. As each snare jumps into our path, He points out just the right tactic to avoid it and coaches us to apply it. He has given us an inerrant training manual and a personal trainer who never accepts less than what’s best for us. We’ll expand on our Trainer's tactics, as well as Six Characteristics Common to Finishing Well, in our next post, but let’s wrap for today. What and whose tactics are you using to run your race? We’re all running, you know! Stride, stride, stride...

Buck Jacobs, AfC
Founder & Chairman
The C12 Group: America's Leading Christian CEO Roundtable provider since 1992
www.C12Group.com