Station 10 / 10
Finish well
Keep going to the end, with your hope set on home.
You're probably here if
- you've followed Jesus for years and feel tired
- you're getting older or facing serious illness
- you think about death more than you used to
- you've watched others drift away and want to keep going
What this is
The Christian life is a long race. You run it with your eyes on Jesus, who began your faith and will complete it (Hebrews 12:1-2). Many start well. God wants you to finish well.
Age and illness can take your strength and independence, but not your worth or purpose. You can still pray, bless, forgive and show younger people how to trust God. Even as your body wastes away, inwardly you are renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Christians don't need to fear death. Jesus rose, and all who belong to Him will rise too (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). To die is to be with Christ, which is far better (Philippians 1:21-23).
Our final hope is resurrection bodies in a new heaven and a new earth, where God lives with His people, wipes away every tear, and death is gone for good (Revelation 21:3-5).
Hold on to this
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Read slowly: All things newRevelation 21:1-7
1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.” 6And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life. 7The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.”
Where to next
- Keep the daily habitsKeep reading and praying, even a few verses. Large print, an audio Bible and short readings all count.
- Bless the next generationWrite to a child, grandchild or younger believer about God's faithfulness to you.
- Make things rightIs there anyone you need to forgive, or ask to forgive you? Call or write this week.
- Live today with the end in mindAsk: what do I want to have lived for? Write one sentence and let it shape one choice this week.
- Put your affairs in orderIf you're older or seriously ill, make or update your will, and tell your family what you'd like at your funeral, including your hope in Jesus.
- Talk honestly about deathShare your fears with a pastor or a Christian friend. Read John 11:17-27 together.Read John 11:17-27
Watch out: Coasting to the end
Some long-time believers stop growing and settle for comfort. Others grow bitter as life narrows. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Pray
Father, thank You for carrying me this far. Keep me faithful to the end, gentle in weakness and hopeful in pain. When my time comes, let me rest in You and wake to see Jesus face to face.
4 weeks at this station
A short step most days, about five minutes, with two open days a week. Read any day ahead; you tick it off on its day.