“I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness ……” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
The Apostle Paul wrote the above scripture as he was about to leave this world. He was specially graced to know when his time expired, hence the writing of this glorious scripture.
As the year 2012 draws to an end, many are likely to assume that their unaccomplished hopes, goals and visions for the year may never materialize, but the reality is that 30 days is still a long time for God to come through. Also, the Bible says the end of a thing is better than its beginning (Ecclesiastes 7:8); it will be correct to deduce from this scripture that God reserves the best till the last. Believe this truth as you enter this month!
In the event that at the end of the year, your goals are yet to be accomplished, it doesn’t mean abysmal failure in 2012. This is simply because this is a good time to lay a strong foundation for the year to come. To finish well is to discharge every weapon in one’s arsenal to recoup/regain what may have eluded one in 2012. It is also time to achieve the opportunities still inherent in the year. To finish well, the following are imperative viz:
1) Fight the good fight: The Apostle Paul was certain he had fought a good fight at his transition. He had done everything he presumably should have done by the grace of God. This world is not a playfare but a warfare, this is because there is an adversary who is opposed to everything progressive in our lives (Ephesians 6:12). A winner is simply a committed fighter, one who keeps fighting till victory comes. One of David’s mighty men, Eleazar the son of Dodo was said to have fought so much until his hand was weary and stuck to the sword (2 Samuel 23:9-10). This guy didn’t stop fighting when he was tired, he kept engaging the enemy until he routed them all out. Pull yourself together, get those prayer points of yours out again and engage every opposition to your progress in Jesus name.
2) Finish the race: The Apostle Paul realized he was in a race. We are also in a race, though the year is far gone and well accomplished, we can still double up efforts in some areas of our lives by the grace of God. Most athletes in a race experience the second wind. This occurs when an athlete who is already out of breath and expiring suddenly finds new strength to press on at top performance to finish the race. Receive a new dose of the wind of the Spirit in Jesus name. The quote by Martin Luther King Jr also comes to mind here: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward”. Our God renews strength and also gives power to the weak (Isaiah 40:29-31). The grace of God is available to carry us to new dimensions that will signal an accomplished end.
3) Keep the faith: Apostle Paul testified he kept the faith. Keeping the faith simply means staying focus inspite of distractions, temptations and criticisms of naysayers, Satan and his cohorts, etc. Keeping the faith is remaining resolute on God in adverse circumstances. Opposition only comes to those who are in motion and making progress. The fact that you are tempted sorely off your course means there is something at stake that is really worth your attention. Elisha stuck with Elijah and kept his gaze on him on learning that his desire will only be granted if he sees Elijah taking off in the whirlwind. Despite the distraction of other prophets and the whirlwind, Elisha kept his gaze on Elijah and gained the prize.
CONCLUSION: Apostle Paul said because he fulfilled the 3 aforementioned points, he is gaining a crown that has been reserved for him. Give the remaining part of this year all the attention and energy you can muster. Pray hard, praise harder, trust in the Lord, go forth and do exploits for Christ! By so doing, you will finish strong and also finish well!
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
