Call to the Finish
- John Gillis
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 5
Scripture: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
—2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
There comes a moment in every journey where we begin to look back as much as we look forward. When the road seems to be winding down, it’s tempting to focus only on what’s slipping away. But Scripture offers us a different lens—one of celebration, not surrender.
The apostle Paul, in what may have been his final letter, doesn’t write from a place of fear or regret. He writes with confidence: “I have fought… I have finished… I have kept the faith.”
These aren’t words of pride—they’re words of gratitude. Gratitude that his life, though marked by hardship, was not wasted. Gratitude that God used every season, every scar, and every joy to tell a story that mattered—a story that pointed to something eternal.
For the one reflecting on life, this passage isn’t a farewell—it’s a victory lap. And for the ones standing close beside you, this moment can also hold more than sorrow. It can be a time of celebration for all that has been, encouragement to keep running their own race, and assurance that faithfulness has not gone unnoticed—by you or by God.
Finishing well isn’t about tying up every loose end or avoiding sorrow. It’s about keeping the faith—choosing to trust that God is still writing the final pages, and His hand is steady to the end.
For the Journey
Whether you are the one nearing the end or walking alongside someone who is, take a moment to honor what has been accomplished.
• What battles have been fought and overcome?
• What faith has been passed on?
• What legacy of love remains even now?
Even in the final stretch, God is still at work. There is still time for grace. Still time for blessing. Still time to finish well.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the life that has been lived, for the faith that has endured. Help us not to fear the end, but to see it as a holy conclusion to a life You’ve never left. For those still running the last part of the race, give them strength and peace. For those walking beside them, give them comfort and gratitude. May we all finish well—with faith in You. Amen.
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