One Finish Line

One Finish Line “Why didn’t you do it as prescribed? Any other way will not be recognized.” “You think you can do everything your way? Well, this time it didn’t work!” There are rules in place so that all who qualify have an equal opportunity to participate. Some will lose gravely, others will fall out from lack of hope, frustration and confidence, and only one will truly know how ultimate victory feels. But to those who stay optimistic, participating wholeheartedly, faithfully and strive only for the commendable finish, will know the gift of being able to run in the good race to the end, and will feel spiritually triumphant even without the possession of a tangible trophy. In the race of your life, follow only Jesus. He said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Run your race with Jesus confidently, so that you will have hope of overcoming all obstacles along the way. Your path may not be like that of your neighbor. Nonetheless, the finish line, to which all are headed, is the same. John 10:1-10 ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.