Acts 20:24 

For many of us the end is much nearer than we think. For some of us, we have already lived more days than we are going to live in the future. It is a biblical reality that the end of all things must come, at least all life on this planet earth as we know it. The apostle Peter corroborates this salient truth for us in 1 Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” The wiseman also discreetly informed us “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). As much as we may hate to think about it, it is an indisputable fact that we all must face, yet the inspired Word admonishes the believer that the end is better, especially for the child of God.

This important truth, it seems like, was never far from the great apostle Paul’s mind. He was always so very passionate about the cause of Christ, but he seemed to be very deliberate about not losing proper focus, especially in the end or at the end. This truth is particularly borne out when he called the Ephesian elders together to deliver his farewell speech to them on his way to Jerusalem where he professed, not knowing exactly what awaited him there, except bonds and afflictions as witnessed by the Holy Ghost in every city (20:22, 23).

However, the great fascination with me about the apostle Paul, concerning this incident is what he declares subsequently. He unflinchingly discloses “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). As I read this passage the thought came, could it be that sometimes we forget the end of the race, the finishing line is so near, and could it be that many of us who started out well could somehow have become sidetracked and distracted along the way.

The fact is, if we are not careful so many things can trip us up along the way, beginning with our own selves, causing us to lose focus and most importantly our joy. Paul specifically emphasizes “. . . that I might finish my course with joy . . .” How sad it is that so many who started well, even in 2023, have become so misguided, misdirected, misshapen, embittered and disgruntled along the way. They serve, but with the wrong motives. They serve but joyless, the initial sweet joy of just being a Christian and called by God, has gone. They now just go through the motions, serving mechanically, nursing wrongs and keeping scores. May God help us!

Brethren, we cannot now lose our way. We have just come too far, to lose our way, to become self-absorbed, catering to our own carnal whims and fancies. I seriously want to make it in – To finish well!! Let nothing be allowed to move us at this stage of the journey from the love and power of our Jesus. As Jesus gave His life for us, may we joyfully run the race. Let us not just finish but finish with more joy than when we began. Make up your mind to finish the course with joy. Let us not forget the joy part!