I have watched a lot of races in my day. Since I have a son who competed in college and high school on the track and on the roads, many are the times that I have witnessed the end of races. His son and daughter also race, along with his wife, and all know the effort that goes into the preparation and completion of these events.
A runner wants to finish strong, not die in the stretch and watch as others pass him on the way to the finish line. A runner seeks to know his own body and his strength, so that he can reach down and summon that last resolve to finish strong. He wants to win, sure, but, from a personal standpoint, he wants to run the best time that he has in himself, regardless.
Yesterday, Mayre Lou and I went to see the movie Courageous. The story line concerned five men who wanted to finish strong in the race of life. They were not old men, like me, but in the prime of life, but, because of their jobs, police officers, they realized that their lives could end abruptly any time. Thus if they wanted to finish strong, they had to live every day as if it might be their last.
These men all signed a resolution as to how they would live for God and their families, and this document can be found here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110612140401AA5BPxP
When we lived in Virginia, I belonged to an informal group of retired men, one of whose stated goals was to finish strong in the race of life. Not just sitting and playing our way to the end, but helping others, serving others and being of use to church and community. We, who could almost reach out and touch the end of life on earth, wanted to live as Paul tells Timothy in his second letter: "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!" (II Tim. 4:7)
Finishing strong has no age limitations or requirements. It is a way of living that seeks to put God first, family next and then ourselves last.
A proper way to live life regardless of age. I am glad that I got to see this movie and encourage all to do the same. It is well worth the time.
Finish Strong!
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