Where is the Finish Line?
One
Where’s the Finish Line?
In his second letter to Timothy, St. Paul compares the Christian life to a race and says, “I have competed well, I have finished the race.” (II Tim 4:7). Now what defines a race is the racecourse, and the racecourse is defined by having a starting-line and a finish-line. So here’s the question for this meditation: what’s the finish line we’re running towards? Because we want to avoid the very real risk that we’ll miststakenly think the finish-line is closer than it actually is. And if we make that mistake, then when we pass what we think is the finish line, we’ll stop running too soon. We’ll be just looking around, wondering where the celebration of our victory is, wondering why we’re not feeling the excitement of having completed the race.
We don’t want to do that. After all our running, we don’t want to peter out too early through a silly misunderstanding. So what are those fake, phantom finish lines that we need to watch out for?
Two
Practical Finish Lines
Our lives are dominated by practical goals. When we’re in school, the finish-line is getting through our papers and exams, or getting through the school-year, or getting through college, or grad-school. Then the finish line becomes getting a job, or a house, or getting a promotion. Once we become parents, our finish-line for the end of the day is getting the kids in bed, or getting them through school, or getting them out of the house. Then, of course, we have financial goals: paying off the mortgage or saving enough to retire.
And, by God’s grace, a lot of times we actually do manage to hit these goals. But not all that much changes when we do. There’s still plenty of the race left to run. Life keeps coming at us, full-throttle. There’s so much that still needs to be done, and anyway, when there isn’t anything that needs to be done, we get restless. Because those practical goals, while they may be fine in themselves, are not the ultimate business of life. They are not the finish line. And it’s never the case that hitting a practical milestone gives us permission to stop the Christian struggle, the Christian effort, to stop the Christian race.
Three
Trials
Another phantom finish line, another place we mistakenly think we can stop running, is at the end of some trial. It might be a financial crisis or a long and scary medical issue, it might be difficulties in a marriage or bereavement after the death of a loved one. And when, by God’s grace, we eventually come out on the other side of a trial like that, we think, “Dear Lord, thank you for getting me through that. Now I can finally be at peace. Now I can rest.”
But we can’t. Because new trials, new tests, new major challenges, are heading our way. Races don’t get easier the longer they go, and we shouldn’t expect this life to be any different. Sometimes the Lord gives us a bit of a breather, but it’s only to speed us on our way again, running the race to heaven.
So don’t expect the trials to stop. And don’t become indignant when, after you’ve just made it through one crisis, another one begins. This is a race, after all. And it’s not over till it’s over.
Four
Spiritual Progress
So often we tell ourselves, “If I could just get over my one major vice, maybe my resentment, or my laziness, or my lust, I think I’d be in good shape.” That’s a phantom finish line. Trust me, if you think you see light at the end of the tunnel on one of your bad habits, there’s a long, long track of hard work and cooperation with grace before you’ve been completely cleansed from sin and are actually ready for Heaven.
It’s a great grace when God allows us to overcome an old vice, or develop a consistent prayer-schedule, or understand an aspect of faith that was always difficult for us before. But there’s a lot of track left. The finish line of perfect configuration to Christ is still a long way off. So don’t be surprised, and don’t stop running. You’ll get there, just don’t start taking it easy now. There’s still a ways to go.
Five
The Real Finish Line
So do you know what the real finish line is?
It’s being perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. For most of us, that’s going to happen at the very end of our time in Purgatory. Although if we really hang in there, if we really give it all we’ve got, we could be like St. Paul, and complete the race to holiness in this life.
But let’s be clear, until then, God will always have more for us to do. More trials, more practical things to get done, and more spiritual battles to fight.
So manage your expectations. Don’t think you’re entitled to rest while you’re still in the flesh. You can rest during eternity. Till then, keep going. We’ve got a race to run.
Suggested Resolutions:
Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
Much like a real race, you have to pace yourself, so don’t rush to the next false finish line. Take your time and focus on the real race, which is a race towards Heaven.
Remember that benchmarkers in this life won’t fix all of your problems, and only God will bring you everlasting rest.