The difficulty of finishing

I have witnessed people start a race and endure through most part of it but in the final seconds to finishing it, they just give up. Even when the finish line is right here in sight, they run out of strength to cross it. It is so sad to see this given everything they have put in, enduring the entire race and overcoming all the hurdles just to miss out at the brink of completion.

It is the same scenario in life. Many started out well on their journey to success in different domains and areas of life. Some in their quest for career success, education, marriage, relationship with God etc. But many people who started out well, fail to finish and sadly so, many giveup right at the brink of success. The journey suddenly becomes impossible to complete and many giveup.

Many say it is more difficult to start than to finish but I think it's more difficult to finish than to start. Most people starting out are always full of energy and highly motivated. Plus, starting out, you have barely faced any challenges yet and you are still fired up for what is ahead. It is only when you have started that journey or race and begin to face challenges and obstacles that your resilience and enduring spirit is fully tested.

That is when attitude and motivation becomes key. Staying motivated to the end is not easy. Many start so motivated but midway, they loss all that motivation and some loss their motivation sadly at the brink of the finish line. Anybody can be a starter but it takes a special kind of people to be finishers. Every day I pray God helps me finish my race. To keep running no matter how tiring it might get and to strengthen me when I can not go any further.

This life is a difficult road and it takes special grace to endure to the end. This journey is not for the quick, speedy, impatient or weak. It is for the strong, enduring and persevering group of people. May God help us all.