2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Henceforth 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 also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Paul knew his life was coming to an end and that his death was inevitable. He lived his life with no regrets because he had an eternal perspective. Every day that he lived in prison he wondered if it was to be his last day on this earth, so he made the most of it in honoring and proclaiming Christ’s gift of salvation to all. He knew his boarding call to heaven was going to be soon.
I have recently returned from going through the details of having my mom pass away. She lived a long life and it ended at her being 95 years old. I was able to experience quality conversations in person with cousins, two aunts and an uncle I have not seen in many years during the visitation at the funeral home, and at mom’s Celebration of Life service the following morning. Paster Zach preached on mom’s favorite verse, Romans 6:23. That was very fitting for this event.
Mom’s Bible was on her nightstand, that she had been reading the last few hours of her life. She had a bookmark in Ephesians 5 and the heading in her Bible of that chapter says, “The walk of the believer as God’s dear child.” Verse 19 Mom lived which says: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” This verse has more significance to me now as I think of her being able to do this now in person. Then Ephesians 6:18 she more than likely had been reading as well which is a testimony of my mom, which states, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” My brother and sister-in-law, after helping her into bed for the evening one night, right before they left the facility mom lived at, heard her praying out loud, by name, for each of my children, my grandchildren, and the same for my brother, Jim and Rochelle’s family. Mom prayed specifically in persevering in praying for each and every one, and must have had their names all written down in one of her many note pads as I am sure she wanted to get the names right in her prayer requests to God. Then the book of Judges chapters 19 and 20 was also marked. In another Bible she had, 1 Samuel 30 and 31 had a book mark. It is about a battle of David’s great victory and the death of king Saul. Mom faithfully read God’s Word and kept the faith. She was ready to receive her victor’s crown in heaven. I wonder, did Mom know when she went to bed the night of June 5, 2022, it was to be her boarding call to leave this earth and enter Heaven?
This has all reminded me, to look at my uncomfortable and challenging circumstances through God’s perspective and ask myself these questions:
- Did you fall into sin or maintain your testimony as a Christ-follower?
- Did you hold onto your faith in Christ’s power and sufficiency?
- God is your judge and examines your heart’s intentions. How did you do?
- Picture yourself wearing your victory crown when you get to heaven. How does that give you perseverance in fighting the fight in life and finishing your race well, as Paul stated about himself, as he knew his life would be coming to a close on earth?
David Guzik Commentary states, “Paul felt that he was in the airport and his flight to heaven was ready to depart. He waited for his boarding call . . . he knew he was passing from the scene and Timothy must carry the torch. God’s workmen pass on, but God’s work continues.”
Every Christian will receive a victory crown, a reward presented to you by Christ, “to all who have loved his appearing.” In Paul’s day, when there was an athletic sports event, the winner would receive a crown of olive or ivy leaves that didn’t last long because it died after a few hours. But the crown for us believers in Christ lasts forever; as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
Christ is on the throne and waiting to receive each one of us at His appointed time. So, when you become weary with life, envision your rewards ceremony when you meet the Lord in heaven and get to spend eternity in glory. Hang on. Fulfill today’s obligations. Run hard. Keep your eyes on the finish line. Keep in mind at all times that Christ has an appointed time for your boarding call up to heaven with Him for eternity.
Listen to Katy Nichole “In Jesus Name” (God of Possible) KLOVE fan awards aired on TBN 6/3/22.