Grace to Finish the Race

I was reading from Hebrews 12, "let us run with patience the race that is set before us". It made me reflect for a moment upon the bumps or crises we encounter in the race of life.

He was a pastor from Virginia, and I was visiting with him. "Everyone I know who has become a Christian has done so in a time of crisis," he said. I began to think about it. The more I ponder it, the more it seems true.

A crisis brings a person to God. It is when a child is suddenly stricken with illness that the parent prays. It is when a business faces bankruptcy that the owner turns to God for help. It is when the weather becomes so severe that people can not manage that it is called "an act of God." Curious, isn't it?

I read recently about Saul of Tarsus, from the Biblical book of Acts, Chapter 9. We know him today as "the Apostle Paul." Something happened to change him from Saul of Tarsus to the Apostle Paul - and that something was a crisis. He was smitten with temporary blindness as he traveled from Jerusalem to Damascus. During this time of crisis, he turned to God. In turning to faith, he learned two valuable lessons that crises will teach.

First, he learned the importance of depending on the Lord. When our strength is consumed, God's resources are available. Paul was extremely well educated, came from a good family and was apparently in robust health. He had power and possessions - and the pride that accompany them. But when the crisis hit in his life, he realized that what he needed most was the Lord. He needed to no longer serve self, but serve God.

Secondly, he learned to trust God. Are you able to trust God in the perplexing crises of life? I believe the answer to be "yes." One of the familiar greetings in the New Testament is "Grace and peace to you" (Philippians 1:2, among others). "Grace" is "the unmerited favor of God." It is God's favor and, quite often, God intervening in our lives to assist us in time of crisis. When writing 2 Corinthians (12:7), Paul discusses a "thorn in the flesh". This is a deliberately vague reference to a physical ailment. By keeping this ailment unidentified, the scripture makes it applicable to us all, in any type of ailment. The answer Paul received to his prayer is not, "I will heal you" but "My grace is sufficient for you." It is God's grace that keeps us from despair. How does God show His grace? Occasionally through direct action, usually through His body, the church. That is, through Christian friends who pray for you and come alongside to help, as best they can.

Are you going through a crisis? If so, turn to the One who can help you most- the living God. If you are not presently in a crisis, be assured that one will come into your life eventually. Be prepared for it by turning now to the living God. Learn to trust Him fully and depend upon His grace to see you through.

We need His grace to finish the race!