Teresa Poucher
The first time I ever heard that expression, it was from a father almost done paying child support. So when have you used it? When graduating from high school or college? While paying off a car or home mortgage? Or possibly near the end of a series of cancer or chemo treatments?
There are many instances in the Bible that come to mind:
Abraham, awaiting his promise; Joseph, whose story has always intrigued me (what patience he had!); and Job takes the prize. What about Jesus?
“Then He said to them, “With fervent desire, I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…” (Luke 22:15 NKJV)
I believe Jesus looked back thousands of years, all the way back to the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned, when He had a perfect relationship with mankind. As soon as they sinned and obstructed their communion, He implemented a plan to restore this fellowship with his creation — talk about patience! When Jesus was on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, His finish line was in sight. Then just before He gave up the ghost He said,” It is finished!”
His death and our obedience to repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and infilling of His Spirit enable us to have fellowship with The Lord. Yet there is another finish line…
“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
We like to call it the rapture, a day we long for with great anticipation. We see the signs showing the time of his returning everywhere. One doesn’t have to be a Christian to know this world is in a bad way.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy…” (Acts 29:24)
I am looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. The finish line is just in sight.
