Out in the sunlight I had worked all day
A beautiful sunset now marked my stay.
A beautiful sunset far in the west
That beautiful sunset was soon to crest.
As I walked toward home along the park
I knew for sure it would soon be dark.
I stopped for a moment my work to review
Had I been faithful in helping a few?
As the sun sank from view in the west
I asked myself again, “Have I done my best?”
And when, at last, the sun was finally gone
Darkness settled in and I walked on.
Lost opportunities I commenced to review
As I thought again of things I’d wanted to do.
When at the final sunset and life will end
Will I be able to say, “I have helped a friend?”
-George Moir (maternal grandfather)
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (II Timothy 4:6-8) Paul is a fascinating person to look at.
His conversion alone is wonderful to read and then the books that he wrote, as well as the journeys that he took are amazing in and of themselves. How many of us would have liked to have followed him around? He was always on the go and serving God. His life became such a dedication to the One Who died for him that he gave no thought to his own life time after time.
God chose to spare him during these times and allowed Paul to carry on in his great, yet humble work. My grandfather was also much like this. He was a hard worker, a missionary, a preacher and so much more. He always put God first and he never quit the Christian race!
How did the apostle Paul look at the race that was his life?
Paul Looked Around Him
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand…” Paul looked around at his life and saw that he was ready. He knew that he’d be with his Savior soon and he was prepared. Are you prepared to meet your Maker? God created everyone and is Maker of all but He can only be your Savior when you ask Jesus to step in to pay the penalty (eternal damnation in hell) for your sins.
On your own you cannot make it. No amount of good works or adding on to your salvation will save you. It is Jesus and He alone that can give you the gift of eternal life. Do you know Him today? The Greek word for “departure” here means: taking down your tent and moving on. Isn’t that beautiful? We are after all just pilgrims in this land!
Paul Looked Behind Him
“…I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:…” Look at the three things Paul knew as he looked behind at his life. Things he had accomplished.
He fought a good fight. Did he go through some times when the devil tried to get the upper hand? He was thrown in jail and beaten. Paul was stoned and left for dead. He certainly had all kinds of persecutions during the course of his adult life.
He finished his course. How many Christians are stopping the race when it is only half done? Or how many preachers are going off to the side when they are just feet from the finish line? Think of Paul and all he suffered and yet he finished his course. He didn’t give up when he suffered for the sake of the gospel. Paul didn’t stop when he was weary. He didn’t sulk when people came after him with harsh words. Paul finished his course strong and he did so with great joy.
He kept the faith. Paul went before multiple rulers in this last days, weeks and months. Every ruler he stepped in front of heard about Christ. Paul stood firm and strong in his faith and he told his testimony to others and gave us some amazing epistles from prison. He talked about joy in prison! He kept his faith strong.
Paul Looked Ahead Of Him
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,…” Paul knew that heaven lay ahead and in heaven was not only his blessed Savior and seeing his Creator and his Heavenly Father; but also a crown. A crown of righteousness will be given to all those who love His appearing. Do you love Jesus? Are you, like Paul, waiting with no regrets for the future? Do you live in peace knowing that beyond that one step out into eternity, heaven awaits? Paul’s peace was incredibly secure.
Like Paul, can we look around us and see a vibrant Christian life? Can we look behind and see that we have run the race strongly and in His will? And, like Paul can we look ahead and have peace about our eternal future? Can we say like Paul, “…for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:..”
JOY IN LOOKING AHEAD