2 Timothy 4:6-7 says, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

At the end of his life the Apostle Paul says, “I have finished the course.” I am 72 years old and I have no idea if I am going to die tomorrow or if I am going to live another 30 years. I do know that the probability of me dying is increasing each year significantly now.

There are continuous opportunities in my life to sin, to fall away from the Lord, or to become a lukewarm Christian. I continually motivate myself by saying, “you are too close to the finish line to mess up now; finish well, ” I probably say that to myself at least a dozen times every day. “Don’t mess up now, the end is close, and you will see Jesus.”

The worst thing I can do now is coast, take it easy, and stop running. I would like to coast across the finish line, take it easy, enjoy life but I would be so much more susceptible to sinning, messing up, and becoming a casualty in the Christian life.

Duke, you are too close to the finish line to mess up now, keep running.