The Daily Encounter
"A Passion to Finish Well"
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (ESV)
Following Jesus is hard. It is a life full of hope and promise and blessing. But to experience those things, we have to be willing to take up our cross and die to ourselves daily. That's not easy and not everyone who appears to start the journey will cross the finish line. But for those who by the grace of God do, there is an honor and a reward far beyond our imagination that awaits.
That was Paul's point in 2 Timothy 4.6-8. He knew his time on earth was nearing its end. Yet despite the struggles and hardships he faced in this life as he pursued Christ, he says he had fought the good fight, he had finished the race, and he had kept (or guarded) the faith. All of those images speak to a high degree of intensity, effort, and endurance.
So what did he get in return? A crown, a symbol of honor and blessing that would be given to him by God Himself. A crown that Paul would be able to offer back to God as an act of worship in return.
That honor, that blessing, that offer remains for us today. Paul said God would give this same crown to all of Christ's followers who "loved His appearing". To love our eventual face-to-face encounter with Christ means to be willing to live a life of sacrifice, service, and even suffering for Christ's name and His Kingdom because we choose to value eternity over the present.
This kind of life isn't easy. But it will always be worth it. So set your heart and mind TODAY on the task of finishing well.
-Landon R
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