October 13, 2022
Daily Devotion:
"Finished the Race... "
2 Timothy 4:7
New International Version
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Think back over all the people you've read about in the Bible so far. Are You struck by the number of them who start well but don't finish well? Perhaps the prime example is Solomon. In worldly terms Solomon had it all: wisdom, wealth, fame, and glory-and even what seemed to be a deep devotion to God. But despite his celebrated wisdom, in his later years Solomon foolishly married foreign wives who led him into idolatry. How does that happen? If Solomon's judgment had been impaired because of senility, we could understand. But like many others who seem to lose their way in later years, Wise King Solomon became just an old fool. Even today we often hear of those who disgrace themselves in a “midlife crisis." Or longtime stalwarts of the church who suddenly leave the faith. Or couples who get divorced after thirty years of marriage. In each instance, are we to believe that there were serious problems all along, bubbling just beneath the surface, or was some switch flipped due to aging? With few exceptions, what most characterizes the young is idealism and unquenchable optimism. But life has a nasty way of dashing youthful dreams. Experience has a moderating influence on us as we grow older, perhaps because of financial limitations, health issues, or family concerns. Many become cynical, embittered, or just plain tired of fighting the good fight. If an older age has an enemy, surely it is discouragement. But when the finish line is more clearly insightful than at the beginning, how can one not get a second wind and finish the course with a flourish?
The challenging question is: If I ever start slipping into a mode of cynical discouragement, what new vision can I capture to keep me going?
