At the finish line.

This year's Tour de France saw plenty of upsets with riders crashing out in the initial stages. And just last night on the 15th stage of the tour, Jack Bauer from Garmin-Sharp lost his lead and a possible stage victory just 50m away from the finish line. He was found in tears on the road beside his bike after finishing the 222km long stage. I could relate to his pain in some ways, but not fully understanding the immensity of the disappointment he had. The feeling must have sucked big time.

But that was just a race and a stage victory at stake. In a race like this, you are not guaranteed of a victory even though it seems like you already have it in the bag for almost the whole race. Christians are in a different race altogether and we are constantly reminded to keep going till the end, if not we may risk being beaten at the finish line by sin. We are promised and guaranteed of a bigger prize than the pride of wearing the maillot jaune, which is eternal life in Christ with God, in his heavenly home.

Are you going to give up and let go of the inheritance right at the finish line and not going till the end? Will you want the eulogy at your funeral to be one that says "He did pretty well for the bulk of his Christian life, being faithful. But he gave up in the end and lost it all to sin." 2 Timothy 4:7 tells us that Paul has fought the good fight, that he has finished the race, and that he has kept the faith. Will you, as a Christian, be able to make such a statement at your end day?

Keep going, dear Christian warriors. Fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. It is going to be a hard fight, but worthwhile, and the victory is in your hands as long as you hold on.