Last week, I had a rough few days. I felt tired, even a little discouraged, and was dwelling more on my circumstances, not really living life, just existing, going through the motions of everyday life. I made a statement that for the first time, I felt old.  
The next day someone told me, “Harold, you’re beginning to look your age.” Well, I often said, and I believe, that God gives you what you need when you need it. Sunday morning, the sermon was from Acts 20, focusing on verse 24, “…so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” I was reminded of what God’s Word says in I Corinthians 9: 24 about the conditions of our final reward. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
On Monday morning I read that sometimes life may seem to be insignificant and about that time, when we are ready to give up, along comes the Master who leans over and whispers, “Don’t quit. Keep going,” as He provides His finishing touch of grace, love and joy at just the right moment. God’s secret to finishing strong is a passion for His purpose in our lives.   
When the late president Eisenhower was on his deathbed, his good friend, evangelist Billy Graham, visited him. The story goes that President Eisenhower, once a general and commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during the Second World War and then president of the most powerful nation in the world, said, “None of my accomplishments mean anything now. The only thing that matters is my relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Evidently, Eisenhower finished strong.
We should all be reminded that God will not look you over for medals, degrees or good works, but for your relationship with His Son.  
Not finishing strong was never more evident than last weekend in two of the NFL playoff games. Both Denver and Seattle, seconds away from sure victories, relaxed and didn’t finish strong. Their defeat cost them the opportunity to maybe play for and win the Super Bowl – the winners to receive a trophy.
In the game of life, not finishing strong could cost us the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven. It’s not worth the gamble.
If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.