Finish one...start another
My wife and I spent an hour and a half with our special needs son's teacher yesterday reviewing his Individual Educational Plan; interacting about what we are observing in his progress and what we anticipate for his future. It is an annual review that reminds us that we (with the assistance of his school) are preparing him to live as independently as possible...some day.
Each year, when we go, we review his "outside of school" situation and let his teacher know his circumstances in our own home, in our church life and in the life of his siblings. This year we reported that two of the latter now live on their own. The third is in his third year of university studies and, other than school breaks and next summer, won't likely be living at home for any more long-term stays. Our "nest" is virtually empty.
That brings me to my thoughts today. Life moves on. That's a little more bluntly put than I would like, but it is our reality, isn't it? We go through many phases of life. Childhood, young adulthood, college, beginnings of a career, marriage, children, retirement, etc.
Have you noticed that each time you come to the end of a task, or a season of life, another lies before you? Every ending signals a new beginning. As long as God gives us breath, we continue to move along “the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1), finding new bends in the road, and new challenges through which to trust our heavenly Father. We love some of the seasons. We are happy to have survived others.
It reminds me a bit of one of the reality shows common right now called “The Amazing Race.” Each team of 2 people starts at the same place, and must complete various tasks and solve certain clues so that they can continue along in the race. If they get to the end of the race first, they get a million dollars. The race traverses the globe and challenges not only their skills, but their fortitude. Do they have what it takes? Only one pair will emerge victorious.
Our lives are part of an amazing race. Only in this race, faithfulness is the key ingredient. Finishing strong; not finishing first. We aren't trying to beat anyone else; we are seeking to complete our course. We are given a continuing set of challenges and opportunities (cleverly disguised as obstacles) which we must overcome. When we have completed our final task, we finish the race. One big difference is that we don’t win a million dollars. Of course, who needs a million dollars when the very streets you walk on in your “retirement community” are paved with gold? We who are God’s children by faith in Christ have the anticipation of eventually finishing this race and being home in Heaven with Him and with all those who have finished their race ahead of us.
It seems to me that this analogy is quite in line with what the Apostle Paul said in Acts 20:24; “...if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus...” Paul dealt with the varying obstacles and joys of life with a view toward the finish line. It was his goal to finish the race, and to finish it well.
I want to join him in that goal. As we negotiate our transitions from the completion of one season of life to the beginning of another, let’s rejoice that we can follow the path that our Lord Jesus has marked out for us. We finish one thing, and start another. Each time that happens, we are closer to home.
Each year, when we go, we review his "outside of school" situation and let his teacher know his circumstances in our own home, in our church life and in the life of his siblings. This year we reported that two of the latter now live on their own. The third is in his third year of university studies and, other than school breaks and next summer, won't likely be living at home for any more long-term stays. Our "nest" is virtually empty.
That brings me to my thoughts today. Life moves on. That's a little more bluntly put than I would like, but it is our reality, isn't it? We go through many phases of life. Childhood, young adulthood, college, beginnings of a career, marriage, children, retirement, etc.
Have you noticed that each time you come to the end of a task, or a season of life, another lies before you? Every ending signals a new beginning. As long as God gives us breath, we continue to move along “the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1), finding new bends in the road, and new challenges through which to trust our heavenly Father. We love some of the seasons. We are happy to have survived others.
It reminds me a bit of one of the reality shows common right now called “The Amazing Race.” Each team of 2 people starts at the same place, and must complete various tasks and solve certain clues so that they can continue along in the race. If they get to the end of the race first, they get a million dollars. The race traverses the globe and challenges not only their skills, but their fortitude. Do they have what it takes? Only one pair will emerge victorious.
Our lives are part of an amazing race. Only in this race, faithfulness is the key ingredient. Finishing strong; not finishing first. We aren't trying to beat anyone else; we are seeking to complete our course. We are given a continuing set of challenges and opportunities (cleverly disguised as obstacles) which we must overcome. When we have completed our final task, we finish the race. One big difference is that we don’t win a million dollars. Of course, who needs a million dollars when the very streets you walk on in your “retirement community” are paved with gold? We who are God’s children by faith in Christ have the anticipation of eventually finishing this race and being home in Heaven with Him and with all those who have finished their race ahead of us.
It seems to me that this analogy is quite in line with what the Apostle Paul said in Acts 20:24; “...if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus...” Paul dealt with the varying obstacles and joys of life with a view toward the finish line. It was his goal to finish the race, and to finish it well.
I want to join him in that goal. As we negotiate our transitions from the completion of one season of life to the beginning of another, let’s rejoice that we can follow the path that our Lord Jesus has marked out for us. We finish one thing, and start another. Each time that happens, we are closer to home.
Thank you. We are in the same transition as you are....special needs child and the other one soon to move on....change is hard. Knowing that God has each season marked out for us gives us strength to continue and to trust Him with each step. It's a good reminder!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pastor. Since the Lord hasn't given us that "permanent" retirement nod yet, we know He wants us to keep serving and running the race. The closer we get to heaven, the greater the anticipation. Sometimes we can hardly wait!!
ReplyDelete