The Importance of Finishing Well

The Importance of Finishing Well

Recent personal events have highlighted again to me the profound importance of ‘finishing well’.

The Olympic games started in Paris last week, and so it has been 100 years since Eric Liddell of ‘Chariots of Fire’ fame clinched Gold in his newly adopted race of a quarter mile. The former Scottish rugby player turned sprinter had seemingly sacrificed his chance at Olympic glory when he learned the 100m heats were to be held on a Sunday. However, as depicted in the film, in a verse shared with Liddell by the American sprinter Jackson Schultz, “He that honours me, I will honour.” And against all odds, Liddell triumphed in a race he was only offered at short notice by a fellow athlete.

Inspiring stuff and a real favourite film of mine. But what drew me deeper into the story and example of Eric Liddell was reading of his subsequent obedience, following God’s call to go and serve in China, which ultimately led to his early death in a prisoner of war camp. Stories from a friend whose parents were children in the same prisoner of war camp show how he was faithful to God right to the end, even after becoming sick. Which all speaks to me of someone who not only ran well but also finished well in life. As Paul, shares in “2 Timothy 4:7; “I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, I have kept the faith.”

Our ‘race’ in life has been described like a marathon and as someone who needs a rest after running 200m(!) that is not to be undertaken lightly. It requires training, it requires persistence, there will likely be injuries and many challenges to overcome before reaching the finish line. Experience shows these challenges are often part of the refining process. We are challenged by James to; “Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because... the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2–4

That is not an easy read, especially if you are in the middle of ‘running’ through a particularly challenging time. However, as we learn from the athletic community, successful marathon runners don’t run on their own. They have a whole team behind them, giving training advice, helping with nutrition, making sure they get sufficient rest, offering hydration and encouraging words along the way.

Who is part of your team, for your race? I encourage you to find and build the right mix of skills and characters around you, if you don’t have them already. Let us also ask ourselves whose team we are playing a supportive role in. Who is God wanting us to encourage or offer refreshment to this week? Lord, may you help me to listen to your call in this today.

I hope we can find a way to also be team for each other.