MAKING
IT TO THE FINISH LINE

Topics: Anxiety; Commitment; Courage; Dedication; Despair; Discouragement; Doubt; Endurance; Fear; Limitations; Motivation; Overcoming; Perseverance; Quitting; Steadfastness; Testing; Trials; Weariness

References: Luke 21:12–19; Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Galatians 5:7; 6:9; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 10:36; 12:1; James 1:2–4

The first half of the New York City Marathon is a party. You’re swept along by 28,000 runners and the crowds lining the streets. You’re touring the ethnic neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens. You feel like you could run forever. At mile 13, you cross over into Manhattan and start heading north, away from the finish line. The crowds are thinner now. The party’s over.

At about mile 16 or 18, you hit the wall. You’re absolutely miserable. Physically and psychologically, you’re busted. I remember passing one of the first-aid stations, where runners were lying on cots—pale and gaunt, with IVs dripping into their arms. I thought, Those lucky dogs. At that point I began to despair. I imagined myself having to go home and tell everybody I didn’t finish. Why did I ever sign up for this race? What made me think I could do this?

That’s when it hit me: one way or another, I had to get to Central Park. I had no car, no money. I would have to get there on my own two feet. So I might as well keep running. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don’t think about the next six miles; just think about the next step. Gradually the miles will pass. And when you cross that finish line, it feels like glory—even when you’re in 10,044th place.

Some of you may be hitting the wall right now—feeling like you can’t go on, like you’ll never make it. Following Christ is harder than you ever imagined it would be, and you’re thinking about giving up—about doing something foolish. Don’t do it!

There’s no magic to endurance racing. It’s all about making it to the finish line.

—Bryan Wilkerson, “Endurance,” PreachingToday.com