Crossing the Finish Line

“The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” Proverbs 15:24

Runners don’t aimlessly run but look toward the object in the distance on which they have fixed their sight. Paul said he pursued the mark (goal) for the prize of God’s high calling in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14). That “high calling”—God’s summon from on high—is not for the elite few; it was not Paul’s call as an apostle but is for all believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. God has appointed us to completeness in mental and moral character; to live rightly with Him and others: embrace and extend mercy and do everything covered in love for Him and one another (Mic 3:8).

The prize of God’s call awaits everyone who doesn’t faint but faithfully completes their life’s race to the finish line. What is the award waiting for us in heaven, where we fixed our eyes? The Bible tells about three crowns: the crown of righteousness (2 Tim 4:7–8), the crown of life (Rev 2:10), and a crown of glory (1 Pet 5:4). Paul knew he had not reached perfection in Christ (completeness) yet strived for excellency, and so should we without excuses of why we are not looking upward for the prize. What will we do with the crowns we receive? John the Revelator saw 24 elders wearing crowns, sitting around God’s throne. When the four beasts gave glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sat on the throne, the elders fell before God, casting their crowns before the throne (Rev 4:4, 9–11). I believe we’ll do the same; the Lord is worthy of all glory and honor.

The upward path of wisdom and holiness is the highest life in Christ, rescuing us from the devil’s schemes, temptations, and horrors of hell that we deserve.