The Final Dash

2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Lined up in their own lanes, the runners leaned in to race. The starting gun popped. The students darted off in a flurry. As they pushed themselves around the track, some hustled ahead of the pack—others kept a steady pace. As they rounded the bend, a few of the middle runners fired into a sprint—to make the final dash to the finish line. The beauty of the race, every runner finished. No matter where they placed, they pushed through and completed what they set out to do.

Paul penned a letter to Timothy, the young evangelist, and let him know his race would soon end. Paul spent years teaching others about Jesus. He'd been in prison, traveled across water, and walked miles to speak the truth from his heart. Paul loved the Lord and cared about his young friend, Timothy. What I love about Paul's confession—he could say with confidence, he'd completed the journey God called him to. He ran the race, kept the pace, and sprinted to the end for the ultimate prize; life-after-death in heaven with his Father.

Paul understood what awaited him at the end of his race. He knew Jesus waited for him, as he dashed to the finish line.