2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

It should be the ambition of every believer to be able to say this at the end of their physical life. There are all kinds of ambitions, in all areas of life. Some are quite noble, but the vast majority are empty, focused entirely on temporal things. Our ambitions speak volumes about our values. Far too many involve things that, as the saying goes, you can’t take with you. We are on this earth for a limited time, and the longer I live, the more convinced I am that our time here is no more than warmup, preparation for eternity. That doesn’t mean it’s unimportant, because the decisions we make here clearly impact our eternity, as the Bible says multiple times in various ways. However, the ultimate prize we should be seeking is to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21) I don’t think there’s any question Paul heard that! As he said to the Philippians, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) This is in no way fatalistic. As he said to Timothy, his total effort was involved, and we should do no less. However, he was deeply aware that the power to get it done came from God, and not from himself. (Colossians 1:29) For us, too, God’s grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This is quite timely, because just this morning I was commenting that I was tired of it all. Heaven looks better all the time! However, I am healthy, and can reasonably look forward to another 20 years, unless the Lord has other ideas. I’m already well past the points at which the Lord took each of my parents home, so I figure He’s still got things for me to do. I have a friend who is just five years older than I am, and it is sad to see how he deliberately cuts himself out of all sorts of things because of his age. I realize I’m in danger of the same thing! I have never agreed with euthanasia, or suicide, for that matter, but I realize that there is such a thing as emotional suicide, and that too is a lie of the devil. I’m to submit to God and resist the devil! (James 4:7) I think I am past ambition, materially speaking, but I must maintain the ambition of finishing well, as Paul did, on God’s schedule and not my own, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me be honest with myself and with You, and at the same time remember that Your truth is far greater and more reliable than my feelings. May I recognize each thing You have for me to do and do it with all the strength that You supply, for the blessing of those around me and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!