Winning And Finishing Strong!

I am a pretty big sports fan. Of course my desire is for my team to win the championship every year. Not a very big wish huh? I was thinking this morning, what if when the season started they just automatically said, "Rodney, without even starting the season your team won. They are the new champions of their league." That excitement might last about 3 seconds and then I would be asking questions like, what?! how? They didn't do anything?! Holding the trophy in the end without the journey doesn't quite mean the same does it? You see what makes crossing the finish line sweet is not just to be given the trophy but the understanding and satisfaction of the work that went into the process and journey. We immediately begin thinking of the stories of the process to get where we are. You will hear things like, "we had some rough spots that challenged us, but with God's help we persevered and kept fighting." I am reminded that while I have been given the privilege and honor of being on Christ's team as one of His children, as a believer, I should not take that for granted and just sit back and coast into the finish line. "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."James 2:17 As believers, we have already been given the gift of salvation & we already know how this 'season' or story will end for us cause we know the end of the story. One day we will cross that finish line into the arms of our Savior for eternity. However, the Father desires for me to keep growing in my relationship with Him, serving others that don't know Him and living for Him daily. All our struggles, all our pain and obstacles we face as we strive for the finish line will be no more once we finish this race. Each day I must ask myself the question, "what needs to be thrown off today that is hindering me from running well for the Kingdom?" "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."Hebrews 12:1 The Father is cheering you on right now. Don't give up. Keep fighting. Can you imagine the reunion at the finish line? It won't be easy, but it will most definitely be worth it. Rodney Holmstrom

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