I’m in the last stretch, most of the race is behind me, just a few more steps to go – it’s down to the wire time – either I’m going to finish well, or finish poorly. Ever been there? Ever had to juggle so many things that you wondered whether you were going to make it or not? Unfortunately I’m there much too often. Even though I’m talking about my work, I’m kinda there in my life’s journey – I’m down to the wire – there may be many, many miles, or just a few – only God knows – but one thing is evident – it’s time to decide on what things I want to finish!
The last few days I have been hearing this scripture rolling around in my head:
10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave,[a] there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.
11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.
12 People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a trap, people are caught by sudden tragedy.
Ecclesiastes 9:11-12
None of us have a clear view of what our future holds, we hope, we pray, we believe – but one thing we do know that the race is given (down to the wire) to the one who endures until the end.
And another thing we know from 1 Corinthians is:
25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;1 Corinthians 1:25-27 (KJV)
It is never how you call it, it’s how God calls it! He will use the one you never expected every time! You may be saying, how can we the one – how can we be sure we are going to finish well? There’s always more truth to help us:
22-25So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
26-31If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.
32-39Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.
It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.
But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way. Hebrews 10:22-39
A long passage today, but don’t you think it is a Selah moment!
Maria
WooHoo! Awesome word Maria.
Thanks Tish,
I want to say you always encourage me and I so appreciate that. I just want to encourage you – the work you did on the conference was absolutely stupendous! I believe this conference was the best one yet!
Thanks for all you do for life!
Love you,
Maria