Finishing Strong

It may be among the most familiar of all stories: a fable called “The Tortoise and the Hare,” created by “Aesop,” thought to have been a slave living in ancient Greece around 600 BC. Like all his stories, this contains practical advice, or what has been called a “moral.”

In this fable, a hare was making fun of the tortoise for being so slow. The tortoise responded that he could finish sooner than the hare thought. He challenged the hare to a race. The hare thought this was ridiculous, but agreed.

After speeding to a massive lead, the hare became overconfident and took a nap. But the tortoise continued, remaining steady and persistent. Never giving up. When the hare woke up, he tried to make up for his nap, and began racing again. But it was too late. The tortoise won.

From a Biblical perspective, this story contains a grain of truth. The fact is that many people become overconfident and become lazy or distracted. They concentrate on short-term pleasures and escapes but don’t realize that the most important thing is how we finish.

We see these principles in a story Jesus told about a man who wanted to build a tower, but failed to count the cost. He started, but could not complete the task.

In your life, focus on how you are finishing. Make sure that God is pleased with your life. That you are sure about your eternal destination. That you are a good steward of your resources. That you finish the course God has given you.