Completing Your Race and Finishing Well

In our journey of faith, we're reminded that life is like a race - not a sprint, but a marathon. The key message is about finishing well, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter what challenges we face. We explored Hebrews 12:1-3, which encourages us to persevere, looking to Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith. The story of Solomon serves as a cautionary tale - despite his wisdom and wealth, he didn't finish well because he lost his focus on God. In contrast, Samson, despite his flaws, finished strong by returning to God at the end of his life. This teaches us that it's never too late to refocus on Jesus. The Apollo 13 mission provides a powerful metaphor: just as the astronauts kept Earth in the center of their window to navigate home, we must keep Jesus at the center of our lives to finish our race well. When life doesn't meet our expectations, instead of giving up, we're encouraged to ask, "Lord, what's my new assignment?" This message challenges us to persevere in faith, keeping Jesus as our focal point, no matter what changes or challenges we encounter.