Finish Strong

When I lived in South Carolina, I had the chance to meet the local high school coach, Coach Farnham. I didn’t know him very well, but I got to spend some time with him when he spoke at our church.  Later that year, he passed away after a battle with cancer in which his health quickly declined. He was a great motivator and a great man of God. His personal motto was “Finish Strong.” He did that very thing. Since his passing, Blue Ridge High in Greer, SC has adopted “Finish Strong” as their athletic motto.

This Sunday, there’s a pretty big football game. While the whole world watches, two teams will compete for the championship ring. Historically, the team that plays a better second-half wins the game. Starting the game well is not nearly as important as finishing the game with tenacity.

Life works the same way. Often people who have reached great heights in the first half or two-thirds of their life, finish their lives with many regrets. This is unacceptable. This is not the way a follower of Christ was meant to live.

Biblical heroes like Joshua and Caleb are strong examples of what it means to finish well. The apostle Paul implores his readers to run the race, and finish the course set before us. Are you running in order to finish strong?

The book of Proverbs says that white hair should be considered a crown of glory. The next generation is watching. They need to see and experience tangible examples of men and women of God who will pursue Him with everything they have, until the last seconds on this game field of life draw to a close.

Finish well. Finish strong.

Pastor Milo
@milowilson