They lie to you when you run a race. A couple of kilometres before the finish line, people hold up signs saying, “Right around the corner! You’re almost there.” It’s not true. The finish line is always farther than they claim it to be. There’s still some distance to cover before the runners can finish well.
The celebration in a race doesn’t take place when there’s still some distance to run. The real celebration takes place when you cross the finish line and the race is finally run.
A few years ago, I heard John Piper speak at the presentation of a festschrift to D.A. Carson. Piper praised Carson, but then sounded this warning:
What I want to express to you tonight, Don, is our love for you—the love of thousands of pastors—which is not unconditional, but is gloriously conditioned by your life and work…
If you renounce all your work, and abandon the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, we will cease to love you like this. You will become the object of our mercy, but not our delight.
At the time, this seemed harsh to me. It felt out of place. But as the years have passed, I’ve come to appreciate Piper’s point. What he was saying to Carson was this: You’ve run the race well so far, but you’re not at the finish line yet. We’ll celebrate a little now, but there is still a distance left to go. The real celebration will come when the race is finished. Keep running.
Piper’s words contrast sharply with our tendency to celebrate too soon. As he honoured Carson, he reminded us that it was a mid-race appreciation. He reminded Carson (and us) of the kilometres still to be run.
Sadly, I’ve seen many start strong in their faith but stumble before the end. This is the downside of having living heroes. While they are alive, they haven’t finished yet.
Last week, I listened to Stephen Andrews, a former assistant to John Stott, speak about Stott’s life. Stott was an extraordinary preacher, writer, and leader. Despite his many strengths, one of his most remarkable qualities is that he finished well. From all outward appearances, he was faithful to the end, giving us an example of endurance and faithfulness.
We need examples like his. It’s why I prefer dead heroes to living ones: they’ve done what no living examples can do. They made it to the finish line.
We should follow the example of faithful saints around us, but we also need to remember that they’re still in the middle of their race. Don’t celebrate prematurely. The same applies to you: you may have run well so far, but there’s still some mileage left. It’s only at the finish that our races can be fully evaluated.
Keep your eye on the finish line. Keep running until then, and aim for the Lord’s approval, not the commendation of others. On that day, he will give you the crown of righteousness that awaits all who have loved his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
But remember: you’re not at the finish line yet. Keep running.