The Art of Finishing Well

Starting something is exhilarating.  Fresh opportunity, energy, desire and gusto are easy to find.  Vision is propelling and excitement helps us find our feet.  Ideas are flowing and plans are forged.  But does a strong start ensure a vibrant finish?

  More than 15 years ago, after the birth of my second daughter, I was determined to run our city’s patriotic 8k race and work to get my body into shape in the process!  We lived near a long, expansive, level trail that became my training ground!  Slowly (VERY slowly), but surely, I built up to that 8k distance with goals of simply running without stopping during the race. 

   Before my race, my sister, who lived in a nearby river town, asked if I wanted to do a race with her.  It’d be great preparation I thought!  The distance was within what I’d been regularly running and the confidence to finish well was present!  It was a small race in a small town and I was pumped!

  The race began well and I paced myself to go the distance.  I was slower, but I reminded myself I wasn’t racing the crowd, just aiming to keep moving forward and not be last!  While I had been training well for the distance at hand, an obstacle presented itself early on that I had not encountered or considered.  HILLS!  It would’ve made sense had I paid more attention initially.  The terrain I’d been training on was flat and boring, but this was a hill-filled bluff town and these rises and falls were no joke.  

  Runners passed me.  Then more runners passed.  “At least there’s a few people behind me” I’d tell myself…until there weren’t.  It didn’t take long for my confidence to tank and for me to realize I was out of my depth and woefully unprepared for this type of race.  I trudged forward losing most of the pack ahead of me, feeling the burning shame mount.  The lowest moment was looking back at a distance and seeing race officials begin to remove cones behind me as they were cleaning the race path.  I was that far behind.  I was ready to give up.  

  Just when I had nothing left, a hero found me.  A local track coach trotted up to me.  “I should just go back” I told him.  “Maybe you can drive me.” I muttered.  But he refused.  

  “I’m not letting you give up” he said.  “You can do this.  I’ll run with you” He told me.  And he did.

  While running he gave me tips, reminded me to breath and encouraged me the entire time to the finish!  I’m still so grateful for him.  For not letting me quit and seeing me through.  One foot in front of the other.

  You see, I’m troubled by the amount of people I see around me not finishing well, or not finishing at all.  Its downright soul dragging, discouraging.

  Marriages that thrived are failing, respected leaders morally fail us, workers are noncommittal, people are giving up on their health and some are unwilling to develop any necessary grit.  HECK, it can be difficult sometimes to simply finish the last book we started reading.  How can we get back to seeing the beauty and finding the honor in finishing well?

  Here’s a few lessons I’ve learned from my race experience!

One…prepare well.  Though I had run the distance the race required several times, I hadn’t done due diligence on understanding the terrain and what that would require of me.  Scouting for wisdom and gathering information from those who have walked where we wanna be is vital.  Listening to voices that not only tell us the hard, but can light the way to success and victory is so important.  Glean from good finishers in the areas of life you’re attempting to thrive in!

Two…ask for encouragers.  The sad reality is, had that coach not come to me or allowed me to quit I would have.  The regret of quitting would have been greater than the embarrassment of coming in last.  I’m grateful for him, truly.  Let’s not be afraid to ask for encouragement, prayer, help when we need it.  We all need it if we plan to finish, let alone finish strong and well!   Ask for prayer, visit the counselor, find the friends that cheer you on and don’t let you hop of the trail!

Third…finish, just finish,  Even if your blast through the end line isn’t as triumphant as you’d like, there’s something that’s built inside of us when we do stick with something.  One finish becomes another and another and soon, we’re gathering compounding victories and bringing spoils to share!   Growing through pressure and trial builds perseverance to grow on!

Finishing that race in last place still stings a little bit if I’m honest.  But I did go on to run that 8k downtown race in my hometown.  I ran the entire way and I wasn’t last!  That still feels sweet to know!

So keep going.  Don’t give up.  Don’t get derailed.  Stay the course.  Finish well!  Let your small and big victories light the way for others!

2nd Timothy 4:7 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.