My dad was in the Navy for 22 years, and he got out when I was twelve years old. He used to talk about some of those who had a few months to go before they were out as those who had a “short-timers” attitude. He said they were pretty much “good for nothing.” He used to admonish me not to get that attitude at the end of a school year, just before I graduated from High School, or before a part-time job was to end. He used to say it is a character issue. Back in the days when I was running marathons and half marathons, I would run a five-mile loop that started and ended at our house a couple of times every week for my training. For the last 200 yards, I would run as fast as I could as my declaration that anything I did, I would finish well, not coast in.
I am now 75 years old, and I keep reminding myself to finish life well and not coast in. It is very easy to use my age as an excuse to take it easy. Also, as I read the news and the various current event articles, I am convinced that the Lord is coming soon. It is a real temptation to coast across the finish line.
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 to focus on the finish line and to run to win. In one particular marathon that I ran, about 500 yards before the finish, this old lady was trying to pass me, but I was determined not to let her beat me. When she would pull even, I would pick up my pace a bit. I kept doing that until I was sprinting and beating her by a step. Running as fast as you can at the end of a 26.2-mile marathon is crazy and takes a huge amount of willpower. I feel the same way now as I live my life focusing on the day I stand before Jesus at the finish line, the Judgment Seat of Christ. Patty and my kids would often be at the finish line cheering me on as I finished; I visualize Jesus doing that now.