I remember the first time I ran 6 miles. I was afraid. What if I could not finish? How would I get back to the car? Home?
To make matters worse, I was running with a 65 year old gentleman (I was 32). We easily finished the run and I had the running bug. I have been running now for 17 years. You can do the math!
We started slowly and talked freely, but the pace increased. Approaching the last half-mile, the pace became more intense. I learned a valuable piece of advice, as he said, “always finish like a runner.”
Our culture tends to not think long-term. The concern is “here and now” rather than “hereafter.” We sprint to the proverbial finish line. Life, as well as leadership, is not a sprint, but a marathon. Prepare for the distance.
Read Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; and 2 Timothy 4:7. The race is life and, more specifically, the Christian life. While leading, settle in for the distance and keep your eyes on the finish line. It’s not how you start, but how you finish that makes the difference.
Good words to start out the week and great advice for a leader – “always finish like a runner”. Herb would be proud.
i am a young preacher (35) and this is good advice to remember, becasue i can get so caught up in running hard right now. this gets me down and burned out sometimes, but i need to settle into a good pace that gives me time for my spiritual walk, my family and my ministry. thanks for helping me keep my eye on the long haul and the finish at the end. bw